German Superlative

Overview

The future tense (Futur I) is mostly used to express assumptions about the present or future in German. We can translate the future tense with the English tenses: simple present or future with will or going to.

If you are looking for more information on this topic, you can access our learning material here: Video, Lesson, Exercise and more…

July 7, 2023

Stephen Sovenyhazy

1. The verb “werden“

In German, the future tense is expressed through the verb ‘werden’ and the infinitive of the main verb. By itself, ‘werden’ can be used as the main verb in a sentence. Then it means ‘to become’ or ‘get’ (e.g. Es wird spät. / It is getting late.); however, it is also used to construct the future tenses as well as the passive voice (more on the latter in A2.2). The verb is conjugated below.

Here are some further examples of how ‘werden’ is used in the present tense as a main verb:

Heute hast du Geburtstag! Du wirst älter!
Today is your birthday! You are getting older!

Das Wetter wird immer kühler.
The weather is becoming increasingly cool/getting cooler.

Das Futur I

In English and in German, we can talk about the future without explicitly using the/a future tense. In German, we can use the simple present (Präsens) plus an adverb of time (‘morgen,’ ‘übermorgen,’ bald,’ ‘nächste Woche, etc). In English, we can use the present continuous to talk about the future. (I am going to school next week.)

To form the actual future tense in German, we use the auxiliary verb “werden”. This is the only variant, whereas in English we can either use “will” or “am/is/are going to”.
The conjugated form of “werden” will be in second position, and the second verb will move to the very end of the sentence.

Example:
Ich werde ein Fahrrad kaufen.
I will buy a bike.

The main verb ‘kaufen’ carries the meaning of the sentence, and ‘werden’ is just used to indicate the future tense, much like the English equivalent ‘will.’ Further, ‘werden’ can be used as a main verb in the future tense:

Example:
Du wirst frustriert werden.
You will be getting frustrated.

In addition, the adverbs ‘wohl,’ ‘wahrscheinlich,’ and ‘vielleicht’ (highly likely, probably, maybe, respectively) are added to speculate (e.g. Hannah wird wahrscheinlich nicht zur Party kommen.). There are two forms of the future (Futur I & II), the latter being the future perfect.

Our teachers and tutors are experienced and passionate about helping students improve their language skills. Our platform offers a flexible and convenient way to learn from the comfort of your home or in person. Find whether your favorite teacher is available for in person classes or choose any teacher for online class or simply let us pick a great teacher for you.

Highlighted Author:

Stephen Sovenyhazy

Stephen is the President of CORE Languages having founded the company in 2007. His focus is on empowering those with a need for community, culture and communication. For over a decade, CORE has helped businesses achieve their strategic international goals by empowering employees to learn and find joy in communicating in a new language and cultural context. With our online instructor-led courses, we now bring this to community members across the globe. A quote from Stephen."When I started teaching, I sought to bring that same energy, dedication, and sense of purpose into my own classrooms. I founded CORE Languages to expand that vision, seeing the growing need for language training options designed to meet the unique needs of business environments.For over a decade, CORE has helped businesses achieve their strategic international goals by empowering employees to learn and find joy in communicating in a new language and cultural context. With our online instructor-led courses, we now bring this to community members across the globe.It’s a privilege to do what we do and share what we love with you.”

Private Classes

Meet one or more times weekly with your dedicated German instructor online or in person at a pace and schedule that fits your busy life.

Group Courses

Self-Study

Do you like to study on your own when it’s convenient for you? Access free courses or buy helpful charts, vocabulary lists, and courses.

Additional Topics

Young black woman reading a book at campus.

German The Question words "Was für ein" and "Welch-"

English lesson. Children assemble English words into sentences

What are the 4 German Cases?

German Transition Words

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The CEFR is an international standard used to describe language ability. Here are specific details of the CEFR for this topic.

General Explanation:

Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

Specific Capabilities at this Level

Writing:

I can write short, simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas of immediate needs. I can write a very simple personal letter, for example thanking someone for something.

Spoken Production:

I can use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms my family and other people, living conditions, my educational background and my present or most recent job.

Spoken Interaction:

I can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. I can handle very short social exchanges, even though I can’t usually understand enough to keep the conversation going myself.

Reading:

I can read very short, simple texts. I can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables and I can understand short simple personal letters.

Listening:

I can understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, employment). I can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.