🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What is Future Tense with Werden?

Future tense in German is formed using the auxiliary verb 'werden' (to become) combined with the infinitive form of a main verb. This construction expresses actions or events that will happen in the future. Word order follows a strict pattern: subject, conjugated werden, other elements, and infinitive at the end.

Short answer

The future tense with werden uses the formula: werden (conjugated) + infinitive verb at the end. Example: 'Ich werde morgen spielen' (I will play tomorrow).

Constructing Future Tense with Werden

1
1. Conjugate werden
ich werde, du wirst, er/sie/es wird, wir werden, ihr werdet, sie werden
↓
2
2. Add infinitive verb
Keep the main verb in infinitive form (e.g., spielen, arbeiten, gehen)
↓
3
3. Word order in main clause
Subject + werden (conjugated) + objects/adverbs + infinitive
↓
4
4. Example sentence
Ich werde morgen ins Kino gehen (I will go to the cinema tomorrow)

Step-by-step worked examples

Construct the future tense: 'I will read the book tomorrow.'

Conjugate werden for 'ich' → werde
Infinitive verb → lesen
Sentence: Ich werde morgen das Buch lesen.

Form the future: 'You (informal) will come on Friday.'

Conjugate werden for 'du' → wirst
Infinitive → kommen
Sentence: Du wirst am Freitag kommen.

Create the future tense: 'We will work here next month.'

Conjugate werden for 'wir' → werden
Infinitive → arbeiten
Sentence: Wir werden nächsten Monat hier arbeiten.

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.Which form of 'werden' goes with 'you (plural)'?

Correct answer: B. 'Werdet' is the ihr (you plural informal) form of werden.

Q2.Where must the infinitive verb be placed in a future tense sentence?

Correct answer: C. German future tense always places the infinitive at the end of the main clause.

Q3.Which sentence is correct?

Correct answer: C. Option 3 (Ich werde morgen gehen) and option 4 (Morgen werde ich gehen) are both correct — word order in subordinate vs main clauses differs.

Q4.Translate: 'She will sleep well tonight.'

Correct answer: C. Option 3 uses werden + infinitive (schlafen) at the end, correct future tense construction.

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Common mistakes

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Ich werde gehen morgen (infinitive before time adverb) — Correct: Ich werde morgen gehen (time adverb before infinitive)

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Er werden das Buch lesen (wrong conjugation of werden) — Correct: Er wird das Buch lesen (wird for er/sie/es)

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Ich werde zu gehen (adding 'zu' before the infinitive) — Correct: Ich werde gehen (no 'zu' in future tense, only in modal constructions)

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Du werdet morgen spielen (using plural form for singular 'du') — Correct: Du wirst morgen spielen (wirst for du)

FAQ

What is the future tense with werden?

It's formed by conjugating werden + infinitive verb. Example: werden + lesen = 'will read'.

How is 'werden' conjugated in the future tense?

ich werde, du wirst, er/sie/es wird, wir werden, ihr werdet, sie/Sie werden.

Can I use other constructions to express the future?

Yes — present tense with time adverbs (Ich gehe morgen) is common. But werden is the most formal future tense.

What's the word order for werden + infinitive in subordinate clauses?

Even in subordinate clauses, infinitive comes last: 'weil ich morgen gehen werde' (because I tomorrow go will).