Konjunktiv I Future Tense

This grammar point is all about indirect speech. Normally, we say Er wird kommen (He will come). That is a fact. But what if a reporter says it? They use the Konjunktiv I to show it is a quote. The future part comes from the verb werden. We change werden into its special reporting form. Then we add the main action at the very end. It works just like the normal future tense. The only difference is the "look" of the helping verb. It is like putting a filter on a photo. The content is the same, but the vibe is different. In modern German, we use this mostly in the third person. That means talking about "he," "she," "it," or "they." It keeps a distance between you and the statement. It is very polite and professional. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes! So, don't worry if it feels a bit strange at first. You are basically learning to speak like a diplomat.

1. 1Building this tense is a two-step process. It is simpler than it looks.
2. 2Start with the special Konjunktiv I form of werden.
3. 3Put the main verb in its basic form (infinitive) at the end.
4. 4Here is how you conjugate werden for this rule:
5. 5ich werde (Note: This looks like the normal form, so we often use würde instead).
6. 6du werdest (This sounds very old-fashioned).
7. 7er/sie/es werde (This is the most common form you will see!).
8. 8wir werden (Also looks normal, usually replaced by würden).
9. 9ihr werdet (Usually replaced).
10. 10sie/Sie werden (Usually replaced).
11. 11Focus on er werde, sie werde, and es werde. These are the stars of the show. If you want to say "The newspaper says the weather will be good," you use werde.
12. 12Example: Der Bericht sagt, das Wetter werde gut sein.
13. 13See how werde stays near the start and sein jumps to the end? It is like a sandwich. The Konjunktiv verb is the bread, and the action is the filling.

You will use this in specific, formal situations. Think of it as your "professional voice."

• News Reports: Journalists love this. It shows they are quoting a source.
• Formal Writing: In business letters or academic papers.
• Relaying Messages: If you are a secretary telling your boss what a client promised.
• Radio and TV: When the announcer summarizes a speech.

Imagine you are in a job interview. You might say, "My previous boss said I werde a great asset to the team." It sounds very polished. Or if you are ordering food and the waiter says the chef promised the steak werde delicious. It adds a layer of formal guarantee. It is not something you use while playing video games with friends. It is for when you want to sound like you know exactly how the language works. Think of it like a tuxedo. You don't wear it to the gym, but you're glad you have it for the wedding!

Don't use this in casual chats! If you are talking to your roommate about dinner, stick to wird.

• Casual Conversation: Ich werde Pizza essen is perfect. Ich werde Pizza essen (in K1) would make your friend think you've turned into a robot.
• Direct Statements: If you are sure about something yourself, use the normal indicative.
• Spoken German: Most people use Konjunktiv II (the würde forms) instead of Konjunktiv I in speech.

Using Konjunktiv I in a text message to your mom might be overkill. It is a bit like using a literal silver platter to serve a slice of toast. It is technically possible, but everyone will look at you funny. Save it for your exams and your future career in German journalism!

Many learners trip over the forms that look like "normal" German.

• Forgetting the ending: People often say er wird instead of er werde. Remember, the e at the end of werde is the signal for reporting.
• Word order: Don't forget to push the second verb to the very end!
• Using it for yourself: Avoid saying ich werde (K1) about your own plans. It sounds like you are quoting yourself, which is a bit weird.
• Mixing up K1 and K2: Werde is for reporting. Würde is for "would." Don't swap them!

One common error is: Er sagt, er werde kommt. ✗

Correct: Er sagt, er werde kommen. ✓

The verb at the end must always be the infinitive. No exceptions! It is like a stubborn cat; it doesn't want to change its shape.

How is this different from Futur I (Normal Future)?

Futur I (Indicative): Er wird reisen. (He will travel. I know this. It is a fact.)

Futur I (Konjunktiv I): Man sagt, er werde reisen. (They say he will travel. I am just telling you what they said.)

How is it different from Konjunktiv II?

Konjunktiv II: Er würde reisen. (He would travel... if he had money.) This is about dreams and "what ifs."

Konjunktiv I: Er werde reisen. (He says he will travel.) This is about quoting a plan.

Think of Indicative as the truth, Konjunktiv II as a dream, and Konjunktiv I as a rumor or a report. Knowing the difference makes you look like a pro. It's the difference between saying "It's raining" and "The weatherman says it's going to rain." One is your observation; the other is your source's claim.