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What is the Future 2 Tense? (Futur 2)
The future 2 is used for assumptions about an action in the past or in the future. It expresses that we think the action took place already or will take place in the future, but we can’t be sure about it.
Examples:
- „Er wird das Auto morgen repariert haben.“ (He will have repaired the car by tomorrow.)
- „In einer Stunde wird er angekommen sein.“ (He will have arrived in one hour from now.)
- „Du wirst die Prüfung bestanden haben.“ (You will have passed the exam.)
- „Er wird hingefallen sein.“ (He probably fell.)
- „Sie wird wohl den Bus verpasst haben.“ (Probably, she has missed the bus.)
Using the Future 2:
For assumptions that an action will be completed in the future (Note: this requires a time specification):
- „Er wird das Auto morgen repariert haben.“
⇒ We are speaking about a point in time in the future ("morgen" = "tomorrow"). And by this time, the action will be completed. Since it's talking about the future, we can't be 100% sure, so it's an assumption.
⇒ Important: you always have to include the time!
For assumptions about an action in the past:
- „Er wird wohl den Bus verpasst haben.“
⇒ The action has to have been completed (or we think it has been completed!) by the present time → werden + perfect tense
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Forming the Future 2
„Sein“ or „haben“ as Auxiliary verb
We use „sein“ or „haben“ based on the main verb. Choose the same verb that you would if you were constructing the Perfect Tense.
⇒ Condition, state, or location change, as well as „werden“, „bleiben“ and „sein“: use „sein“ as the helping verb
⇒ All other verbs and all Reflexive Verbs: use „haben“ as the helping verb
- „Er wird in Berlin angekommen sein.“ (Ortswechsel)
Warning: For conditions / states, always use „sein“. The condition will change from the time of speaking to the point in time that is mentioned.
⇒ Change in Condition ⇒ „sein“
Recommendation: Past Participle (Partizip 2)
For the formation of the future tense 2 you need the participle 2. You should already know it at this level. If you still want to review it, you can find a detailed explanation here: Past Participle (Partizip 2).
Word Order with the Future 2
Related Topic:
Entire lesson in German only: Futur 2
Some verbs you have to separate when you conjugate them - Trennbare Verben (Separable Verbs).
More lessons about Tenses:
- Perfekt (Perfect Tense)
- Präsens (Present Tense)
- Präteritum (Past Tense)
- Plusquamperfekt (Past Perfect Tense)
- Futur 1 (Future 1)
What is the general German word order? - Satzbau (Sentence Structure).
You can find an overview of all topics under German Grammar.
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