German has two different ways of referring to future events (compare to English: “will-future” and “goingt-to-future”) and does not have a progressive form of the
future tense.
In German, verbs in the future tense are formed different compared to English.
The present tense is used when the context makes it clear that you are referring to a future event. So there must be an information in the sentence which
suggest the future.The following words give indications of a time in the future and is an evident that you are not speaking about the present so that you can use the present tense referring to a future event:
This future tense is used, when making a prediction, or indicating probability. This future form is similar in English. English uses “will” + the infinitive of the main verb and German uses aform of “werden” + the infinitive of the main verb.
werden | |
Example:
English I will meet you tonight.
German: Ich werde dich heute abend treffen.
Form: Ich -> habe
But also:
English I will meet you tonight.
German: Ich treffe dich heute abend.
The word “heute abend” gives an indication of a time in the future and is an evident that you are not speaking about the present so that you can use the present tense referring to a future event.
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