Simple present (Präsens) or simple future (Futur I)? When do we use the present tense, and when do we use the future tense to talk about something in the future? Today's article will shed light on this question.
"Ich gehe morgen ins Kino." or "Ich werde morgen ins Kino gehen."?
When do we use the present tense, and when do we use the future tense to talk about something in the future? Today's article will shed light on this question.
Let's find out!!!
1. The simple present tense can be used relatively flexibly in German, especially in spoken language. The simple present describes events and actions taking place at the current moment. However, the simple present is also frequently used to talk about the future when describing an event or action that will definitely happen. For example:
Anna fährt morgen mit dem Rad zur Arbeit.
(Anna will go to work by bike tomorrow.)
Peter geht in vier Wochen in Urlaub.
(Peter will go on vacation in four weeks.)
→ In this case, the present tense is used to announce something you are certain will happen in the future. The future tense can also be used in this situation; however, with the present tense, the degree of certainty is higher.
2. The present tense can be used when talking about something that happens repeatedly.
Jeden Montag geht Lila in den Supermarkt.
(Lila goes to the supermarket every Monday.)
Die Zeitschrift erscheint wöchentlich.
(The magazine is published weekly.)
3. In fact, there are two future tenses: Futur I and Futur II. However, we mainly use only the simple future tense Futur I to express an event or action that will occur in the future, but is not certain.
In drei Wochen werde ich aus Deutschland zurückkommen.
(In three weeks I will return from Germany.)
Du wirst diesen Mann nie wieder treffen.
(You will never meet this man again.)4. The future tense is used to describe intentions, plans, promises, and commands.
Meine Eltern werden nach Berlin fliegen.
(My parents will fly to Berlin.)
→ My parents intend to fly to Berlin.
Ich glaube, es wird später regnen.
(I think it will rain later.)
→ This is just a guess because the simple future is used in the clause following the verb glauben.
!!! Guesses are often used with particles (Partikeln) such as doch, wohl or modal verbs.
Knowledge test
Present tense (Präsens) or simple future (Futur I)?
- 1.
Johannes …….wohl nicht zu Hause. (sein)
- 2.
Ich ………….nächsten Montag. (zurückkomme)
- 3.
Ich ………….hoffentlich bald. (zurückkommen)