Future Tense of Russian verbs

Future Tense

The future tense in Russian should be used when you talk about some actions that will happen after the moment of your speech. Today we will introduce you to some peculiarities about the correct use of the future tense.

When to use it

Some words that will help you understand that you need to use the Future Tense: завтра (tomorrow), послезавтра (the day after tomorrow), потом (then), затем (then), после этого (after that).

Besides having three tenses, Russian verbs can be of two types:

  • imperfective — this verbs answer to the question «Что делать?» 
  • perfective — this verbs answer to the question «Что сделать?»

The verb type will decide the form of the future tense. 

In russian dictionaries in almost every verb list both verb types are shown. The imperfect form is usually shown first, for example: лечить (Imperfective) — вылечить (Perfective).

Future tense Imperfective verbs will be used in this situations:

  • To name an action that will take place in the future when it is not necessary to emphasize completeness or result.

Завтра я буду готовить ужин и смотреть новый фильм. — Tomorrow I will cook dinner and watch a new movie.

  • To denote an action that has a duration or is limited by a period of time.

В это время я буду пролетать над Парижем. — At this time, I will be flying over Paris.

  • To indicate repetitive actions in the future.

Летом мы будем каждый день ходить на пляж. — In the summer, we will go to the beach every day.

Future tense Perfective verbs will be used in this situations:

  • To name an action that will be completed by the moment you are talking about.

Я прочитаю эту книгу к следующему понедельнику. — I will have read this book by next Monday.

  • To indicate a one-time action in the future.

Я приготовлю ужин. — I’ll make dinner.

Remember: Perfective verbs in Russian have no present tense — only the future and the past.

Future Tense

How is the Future tense formed in Russian

You may have already noticed that sentences in the future tense are formed differently depending on the verb type. The future tense in Russian is represented by two forms: simple and compound.

Compound form

This form is sometimes called the Imperfective Future.

It follows the next formula:

Verb “быть “(to be) in the necessary conjugation + infinitive of the Imperfective verb.

Conjugation of the verb “быть” in the Future tense:

  • я буду;
  • ты будешь;
  • он/она/оно будет;
  • мы будем;
  • вы будете;
  • они будут.

.In the English language all these forms are equivalent to will.

.Let’s see how will the Imperfective Future perform in a sentence:

  • Я буду всегда любить тебя! — I will always love you!
  • Ты будешь читать книгу всю следующую неделю. — You will be reading a book all next week.
  • Он будет рисовать с натуры. — He will draw from nature.
  • Мы будем покупать квартиру в июле. — We will buy an apartment in July.
  • Вы будете работать на улице весь день? — Will you be working outside all day?
  • Они будут гулять в лесу. — They will walk in the forest.

Take a trial lesson

Not sure if this is for you? Have a no-obligation, free-trial lesson on us!

By clicking "Send" you agree to us processing your information

Simple form

This form of the Future tense is also called Perfective Future. It is formed by conjugating the infinitive of the perfect form. The endings of the Perfective verb of the Future tense are the same as those of the corresponding verb of the Imperfective form of the Present tense. First of all, this applies to Perfective verbs with a prefix.

Pares of Imperfective and Perfective verbs:

  • читать — прочитать;
  • делать — сделать;
  • думать — выдумать;
  • лететь — вылететь.

.

Let’s remember the endings of the I and II conjugations of the majority of verbs in the Russian language in the Present tense:

.

Person

I conjugation

II conjugation

Я

-ю/-у

-ю/-у

Ты

-ешь/-ёшь

-ишь

Он/она/оно

-ет/-ёт

-ит

Мы

-ем/-ём

-им

Вы

-ете/-ёте

-ите

Они

-ют/-ут

-ят/-ат

.

Now let’s conjugate the verb “посмотреть” (to look) for a better understanding:

  • Я посмотрю в окно. — I’ll look out the window.
  • Ты посмотришь, сколько времени? — Will you see what time it is?
  • Она посмотрит, сделал ли ребенок уроки. — She will see if the child has done his homework.
  • Мы посмотрим фильм. — We’ll watch a movie.
  • Вы посмотрите за детьми. — You will look after the children.
  • Они посмотрят новый спектакль. — They will watch a new play.

.

Congratulations! After reading this article you have taken another step in the understanding of the Russian language. It is not as complicated as it looks, if you give it enough practice. Good luck!

We hope you found this article useful. We are ready to help you learn Russian online with a native speaker. Classes are individually adapted to your wishes. Submit an application for a free trial lesson and we will find the most suitable Russian language course for you.

Call me back!

By clicking "Send" you agree to us processing your information

Success!

Your application is accepted. We will call You back within two hours.

Start learning Russian

By clicking "Send" you agree to us processing your information

Test results

We have sent your test results to your email

Free consultation

If you have any questions, please contact us though the form below

Free introductory lesson

Please, fill out the form below to get free introductory lesson

Free consultation

If you have any questions, please contact us though the form below