How to express the future in German?

To form the future with werden, combine a form of werden in the present tense with the infinitive of the main verb. For example:

Here are the forms of werden:

As we said above, in German, we form the future with werden when discussing an uncertain future. You might form the future this way when you’re stating your intentions or making an assumption about what you think will happen.

Compare these different forms of the future:

• werden (present)infinitive

  Wir werden heute Abend ins Kino gehen.

  Translation: We will go to the movies tonight.

  An intention: We think that it will happen tonight, however there is still no certainty.
• present tense

  Wir gehen heute Abend ins Kino.

  Translation: We are going to the movies tonight.

  A certainty: We are very sure that this will happen, we have the tickets, we’ve made a plan.

Because the werden + infinitive construction signals some uncertainty, you’ll often use it with adverbs like wohl (meaning probably, possibly), vielleicht (meaning maybe, possibly), or wahrscheinlich (meaning probably). These adverbs generally go as close to the conjugated verb as you can manage without breaking regular word order rules. If you want to emphasize the adverb, put it first. Take a look at the following examples:

In a main clause, the future with werden follows the standard German word order rules: the auxiliary verb werden is placed in the second position and the infinitive in the final position.

Here are some other types of clauses you might want to form:

• Form questions by bringing werden to the front, followed by the subject:

  werdensubject

  Wird sie…?

  Translation: Will she…?

• Form a negative sentence by adding the word nicht:

  werdennicht

  Es wird nicht regnen.

  Translation: It won’t rain.

• In dependent clauses, the word order rules are also as expected: the auxiliary verb werden is placed in the final position with the infinitive directly preceding it.

  werdeninfinitive

  Anna ist verärgert, weil ihr Zug wegen des Sturms nicht pünktlich sein wird.

  Translation: Anna is annoyed, because her train will not be punctual because of the storm.

And here are some rules for using modal verbs in this tense:

• In a main clause, the modal verb will be in the final position.

  werdenmain verb (infinitive)modal verb (infinitive)

  Die Kinder werden den Spielplatz nicht benutzen dürfen.

  Translation: The children will not be allowed to use the playground.

• In a dependent clause, the conjugated form of werden is in the third-to-last position. This may sound complicated, but don’t worry too much about it, because it is rarely used.

  werdenmain verb (infinitive)modal verb (infinitive)

  Ich freue mich so sehr, weil ich die Reise werde antreten können.

  Translation: I am so happy, because I will be able to go on the trip.

The structure werden + infinitive can not only be used to express future events, but also to express:

• A threat:

  werdeninfinitive

  Du wirst jetzt nicht mehr rausgehen!

  Translation: You will not go out now!

  Das wirst du jetzt nicht mehr machen!

  Translation: You will not do that anymore!

• A threatening prediction:

  werdeninfinitive

  Das wirst du bereuen!

  Translation: You will regret that!

  Sie wird dir die Leviten lesen!

  Translation: She will read you the riot act!

• An imperative equivalent:

  werdeninfinitive

  Wirst du jetzt endlich dein Zimmer aufräumen!

  Translation: Will you finally clean up your room now!

  Werdet ihr jetzt endlich leise sein!

  Translation: Will you be quiet already!