A2 Verb Tenses 5 min read Easy

Russian Future Tense: Ongoing Actions (Imperfective)

Form the imperfective future by combining a conjugated form of быть with any imperfective infinitive verb.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'быть' (to be) + infinitive to describe ongoing actions in the future.

  • Conjugate 'быть' for the subject: 'Я буду', 'Ты будешь', etc.
  • Add the imperfective infinitive verb: 'Я буду читать' (I will be reading).
  • Negate by adding 'не' before the conjugated 'быть': 'Я не буду читать'.
Subject + буду/будешь/будет... + Infinitive Verb

Overview

Ever wonder why you can't just add a prefix to every Russian verb to make it future tense? You might want to say you'll be "watching Netflix" all night. Or maybe you'll be "studying Russian" for three hours. In English, we use "will be doing." In Russian, we use the Imperfective Future. This tense is your best friend for ongoing actions. It focuses on the process, not just the finished result. It’s the difference between "I will read the book" and "I will be reading the book." One is a goal, the other is a vibe. You need this for daily plans and long-term habits. It’s simple, predictable, and very common in TikTok captions. Let's make sure you don't sound like a robot when you use it.

How This Grammar Works

This tense is like a LEGO set with only two pieces. You don't need to change the main verb at all. You keep the main verb in its dictionary form (the infinitive). The only thing that changes is the helper verb быть (to be). Think of быть as the engine and the infinitive as the car. The engine does all the work of showing who is doing the action. The car just sits there and looks pretty. If you know how to conjugate быть, you’ve already won. You just stick it in front of any imperfective verb. It works for "I will be eating," "we will be dancing," or "they will be gaming." It’s the most regular part of Russian grammar. No weird spelling changes in the main verb. No shifting stresses to worry about here. Just быть + your favorite activity. It’s the ultimate shortcut for talking about your future life.

Formation Pattern

1
Creating this tense is a simple three-step process.
2
Pick your subject (I, you, they, etc.).
3
Conjugate the verb быть to match that subject.
4
Add the infinitive (the -ть form) of your imperfective verb.
5
Here is how быть looks in the future:
6
Я буду (I will be)
7
Ты будешь (You will be - informal)
8
Он/Она/Оно будет (He/She/It will be)
9
Мы будем (We will be)
10
Вы будете (You will be - formal/plural)
11
Они будут (They will be)
12
Example: To say "I will be working," take я буду and add работать. Result: Я буду работать. It’s that easy. If you can remember these six forms of быть, you can talk about any ongoing future action. Just remember: only use the imperfective infinitive. If the verb has a prefix like по- or про-, it might be perfective. Stay away from those for this specific pattern. Stick to the basic, "long" versions of verbs.

When To Use It

Use this tense when the duration of the action matters. If you are telling someone your schedule on WhatsApp, use this. "I will be working from 9 to 5" is a process. Use it for repeated actions in the future. "I will be going to the gym every Monday." Use it when you don't care about the result. Maybe you'll start the movie, but you won't finish it. That’s a process! It’s also great for background actions. "While you are sleeping, I will be coding." It sets the scene for your future life. If you are descriptive in your Instagram stories, this is your tense. It’s perfect for saying "I will be traveling in Europe next summer." It sounds more natural than the perfective when the end point is vague. Use it for habits you plan to start. "I will be drinking more water." Your doctor will be happy, and your Russian will be better.

Common Mistakes

The biggest mistake is trying to conjugate both verbs. You should never say я буду работаю. That sounds like "I will be I work." Only the helper verb быть changes its form. The second verb must stay as an infinitive. Another classic error is using a perfective verb. You cannot say я буду прочитать. Perfective verbs (like прочитать) already have their own future form. They don't need быть. If you use быть, the main verb must be imperfective. Also, watch out for the spelling of будешь and будете. Don't forget that ё or е sound in the middle. Learners often forget the у in буду and try to say боду. That’s not a word, though it sounds like a weird ghost. Keep your быть forms sharp and your infinitives simple.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

In Russian, there are two ways to talk about the future. There is the "Simple Future" (Perfective) and the "Compound Future" (Imperfective). The Simple Future is for finished results. Я прочитаю means "I will finish reading." The Compound Future (what we are learning) is for the process. Я буду читать means "I will be reading." Think of it like a photo versus a video. The Simple Future is a snapshot of the finish line. The Compound Future is the video of the whole race. English speakers often default to я буду... because it feels like "I will..." but be careful. If you promise to do something, like "I will call you," use the perfective. If you describe your evening, like "I will be relaxing," use the imperfective. Don't use быть if you are talking about a one-time, completed action.

Quick FAQ

Q

Can I use this for "I am going to"?

Yes, if the action is ongoing or a habit.

Q

Does the gender of the person change the verb?

No, the future tense doesn't care about gender. Он будет and Она будет are the same.

Q

Is this tense formal or informal?

It is both! It depends on whether you use ты or вы.

Q

Can I use this with verbs of motion?

Yes, like я буду ходить в школу (I will be going to school regularly).

Q

What if I forget the infinitive?

Then you are just saying "I will be," which is still useful! "I will be at home" is я буду дома.

Conjugation of 'быть' (Future Tense)

Person Pronoun Auxiliary (быть) Main Verb (Infinitive)
1st Sing.
Я
буду
читать
2nd Sing.
Ты
будешь
читать
3rd Sing.
Он/Она/Оно
будет
читать
1st Plur.
Мы
будем
читать
2nd Plur.
Вы
будете
читать
3rd Plur.
Они
будут
читать

Meanings

This tense describes an ongoing, repeated, or unfinished action that will take place in the future.

1

Ongoing process

An action that will be in progress at a specific future time.

“Я буду спать в это время.”

“Мы будем гулять весь вечер.”

2

Repeated action

An action that will happen multiple times in the future.

“Я буду ходить в спортзал каждый день.”

“Мы будем часто встречаться.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Russian Future Tense: Ongoing Actions (Imperfective)
Pronoun Helper Verb (быть) Main Verb (Infinitive) English Meaning
Я
буду
работать
I will be working
Ты
будешь
читать
You will be reading (inf.)
Он / Она
будет
отдыхать
He / She will be resting
Мы
будем
смотреть
We will be watching
Вы
будете
готовить
You will be cooking (form./pl.)
Они
будут
гулять
They will be walking

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Я буду заниматься профессиональной деятельностью.

Я буду заниматься профессиональной деятельностью. (Work)

Neutral
Я буду работать.

Я буду работать. (Work)

Informal
Я буду работать.

Я буду работать. (Work)

Slang
Я буду пахать.

Я буду пахать. (Work)

Uses of the Imperfective Future

Future Process

Duration

  • весь день all day
  • долго for a long time

Habit

  • каждое утро every morning
  • всегда always

Simple vs. Compound Future

Imperfective (Process)
Я буду писать I will be writing
Perfective (Result)
Я напишу I will finish writing

Choosing the Future Tense

1

Is the action a process or a habit?

YES
Use Imperfective Future (быть + infinitive)
NO
Is it a finished result?
2

Is it a finished result?

YES
Use Perfective Future (Simple form)
NO ↓

Forms of 'быть' for the Future

👤

Singular

  • • Я буду
  • • Ты будешь
  • • Он/Она будет
👥

Plural

  • • Мы будем
  • • Вы будете
  • • Они будут
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Examples by Level

1

Я буду читать.

I will be reading.

2

Ты будешь спать?

Will you be sleeping?

3

Мы будем гулять.

We will be walking.

4

Они будут играть.

They will be playing.

1

Завтра я буду работать весь день.

Tomorrow I will be working all day.

2

Мы не будем смотреть этот фильм.

We will not be watching this movie.

3

Вы будете часто приходить сюда?

Will you be coming here often?

4

Она будет учить русский язык.

She will be studying Russian.

1

Я буду заниматься спортом каждое утро.

I will be doing sports every morning.

2

Мы будем обсуждать это на собрании.

We will be discussing this at the meeting.

3

Ты будешь ждать меня на вокзале?

Will you be waiting for me at the station?

4

Они будут строить дом всё лето.

They will be building the house all summer.

1

В это время я буду лететь над океаном.

At this time, I will be flying over the ocean.

2

Мы будем вынуждены принять это решение.

We will be forced to make this decision.

3

Вы будете продолжать работать над проектом?

Will you be continuing to work on the project?

4

Никто не будет слушать эти оправдания.

No one will be listening to these excuses.

1

Я буду размышлять над этим вопросом долго.

I will be pondering this question for a long time.

2

Мы будем следовать этому плану неукоснительно.

We will be following this plan strictly.

3

Ты будешь пребывать в этом состоянии вечно?

Will you be remaining in this state forever?

4

Они будут сомневаться в нашей искренности.

They will be doubting our sincerity.

1

Я буду неустанно совершенствовать свои навыки.

I will be tirelessly improving my skills.

2

Мы будем свидетельствовать о переменах в обществе.

We will be witnessing changes in society.

3

Вы будете пренебрегать нашими советами?

Will you be neglecting our advice?

4

Они будут олицетворять собой новую эпоху.

They will be embodying a new era.

Easily Confused

Russian Future Tense: Ongoing Actions (Imperfective) vs Future Perfective

Learners mix up the aspect.

Russian Future Tense: Ongoing Actions (Imperfective) vs Present Tense

Learners use present for future.

Russian Future Tense: Ongoing Actions (Imperfective) vs Conditional

Both use 'бы'.

Common Mistakes

✗

Я буду прочитаю

✓

Я буду читать

Don't use perfective verbs with 'буду'.
✗

Я будет работать

✓

Я буду работать

Conjugate 'быть' for the subject 'Я'.
✗

Я буду работаю

✓

Я буду работать

The second verb must be an infinitive.
✗

Буду я работать

✓

Я буду работать

Standard word order is Subject-Verb.
✗

Мы будем пошли

✓

Мы будем идти

Use imperfective infinitive.
✗

Ты будешь делать это?

✓

Ты будешь это делать?

Word order for emphasis.
✗

Они будут не работать

✓

Они не будут работать

Place 'не' before the auxiliary.
✗

Я буду закончить

✓

Я буду заканчивать

Use imperfective.
✗

Будем мы гулять?

✓

Мы будем гулять?

Statement vs Question intonation.

Sentence Patterns

Я буду ___ весь день.

Ты будешь ___ завтра?

Мы не будем ___ этот фильм.

Они будут ___ в парке.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

Будешь сегодня гулять?

Job Interview very common

Я буду отвечать за продажи.

Travel common

Я буду приходить поздно.

Food Delivery occasional

Я буду ждать курьера.

Social Media common

Скоро я буду выкладывать фото.

Academic common

Мы будем изучать эту тему.

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🎯

The 'Will Be' Hack

If you can translate your English sentence to 'I will be [verb]-ing', you almost always need the Russian imperfective future.
⚠️

No Prefixes Allowed

Don't use verbs with perfective prefixes (like 'про-', 'по-', 'с-') after 'буду'. Only use the simple, basic infinitive.
💬

Polite Questions

When asking someone if they want something (like tea or coffee), using 'Вы будете...?' is a very common and polite way to offer it.

Smart Tips

Add a frequency word like 'всегда' or 'часто'.

Я буду работать. → Я всегда буду работать здесь.

Use rising intonation at the end.

Ты будешь работать. → Ты будешь работать?

Ask yourself: is it a process?

Я буду купить. → Я буду покупать.

Use 'весь' (all) to emphasize duration.

Я буду учиться. → Я буду учиться весь год.

Pronunciation

BU-du

Stress

The stress in 'буду' is on the first syllable.

Question

Ты будешь РА-бо-тать↑?

Rising intonation at the end indicates a question.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'BU-DU' as 'BE-DO'—you will BE DOing something.

Visual Association

Imagine a robot (the 'буду' part) holding a sign with an infinitive verb on it, walking into the future.

Rhyme

When the future is a flow, use 'буду' and the verb you know.

Story

I am standing at the edge of tomorrow. I see my future self. My future self is holding a sign that says 'буду'. Behind the sign, my future self is doing many things: reading, working, and playing.

Word Web

будубудешьбудетбудембудетебудутинфинитив

Challenge

Write 5 sentences about what you will be doing this weekend using 'я буду'.

Cultural Notes

Russians value aspectual precision; using the wrong aspect can sound like you don't understand the nature of the action.

In formal settings, using the imperfective future shows you are committed to a process.

Friends often drop the pronoun if it's clear.

The construction evolved from the Old Russian auxiliary 'быти' (to be) combined with the infinitive.

Conversation Starters

“

Что ты будешь делать завтра?

“

Будешь ли ты работать в выходные?

“

Как ты будешь проводить отпуск?

“

Будете ли вы продолжать этот проект?

Journal Prompts

Write about your plans for next week.
Describe your ideal future career.
How will your life change in 5 years?
Reflect on the process of learning Russian.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'быть'.

Вечером мы ___ смотреть кино.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: будем
Since the subject is 'мы' (we), the correct form of the helper verb is 'будем'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct way to say 'I will be working':

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Я буду работать.
You must use the helper verb 'буду' followed by the imperfective infinitive 'работать'. You cannot conjugate the second verb or use a perfective one.
Find and fix the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Они будут играют в игры.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Они будут играть в игры.
The main verb must be in the infinitive form (играть), not conjugated (играют).

Score: /3

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct form of 'быть'.

Я ___ работать завтра.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: буду
Subject is 'Я'.
Choose the correct verb form. Multiple Choice

Мы будем ___ (читать/прочитать) книгу.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: читать
Must use imperfective infinitive.
Find the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Я буду работаю.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Я буду работать
Infinitive required.
Make negative. Sentence Transformation

Я буду спать.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Я не буду спать
Negation before auxiliary.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

— Ты будешь звонить? — Да, я ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: буду
Matching the subject.
Order the words. Sentence Building

буду / работать / я / завтра

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Я буду работать завтра
Standard order.
Sort by aspect. Grammar Sorting

Which is imperfective?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: буду читать
It's a process.
Match subject to auxiliary. Match Pairs

Я -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: буду
Conjugation match.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'быть'. Fill in the Blank

Ты ___ завтракать завтра?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: будешь
Translate to Russian. Translation

They will be dancing.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Они будут танцевать.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

буду / я / долго / спать

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Я буду долго спать.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Select the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Вы будете слушать музыку?
Match the pronoun to the correct form of 'быть'. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Я - буду, Мы - будем, Они - будут, Вы - будете
Correct the verb form. Error Correction

Она будет готовит ужин.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Она будет готовить ужин.
Complete the sentence with the correct infinitive. Fill in the Blank

Я буду ___ (to read) эту книгу неделю.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: читать
Identify the process-focused sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence describes an ongoing action?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Я буду убирать комнату.
Translate to Russian. Translation

What will you be doing?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Что ты будешь делать?
Put the words in order. Sentence Reorder

будет / она / в / парке / гулять

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Она будет гулять в парке.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, that is a common mistake. 'Буду' only takes the imperfective infinitive.

Just put 'не' before 'буду'. Example: 'Я не буду читать'.

No, perfective verbs have their own future tense. 'Буду' is specifically for imperfective.

Yes, standard Russian order is Subject-Verb. 'Я буду работать'.

For habits, ongoing processes, or repeated actions in the future.

Yes, if the context is clear, you can drop 'Я' or 'Ты'.

English uses 'will be doing'. Russian uses 'буду' + infinitive.

It is neutral and used in all registers.

Scaffolded Practice

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1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish partial

Estar + gerundio

Russian uses the infinitive, not a participle.

French low

Futur proche

The auxiliary verb is different.

German high

Werden + infinitive

German is synthetic/analytic hybrid.

Japanese partial

Te-iru form in future

Russian is strictly analytic.

Arabic low

Sa- + verb

Russian uses a separate auxiliary word.

Chinese low

会 (huì) + verb

Russian conjugates the auxiliary.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
Russian Future Perfective: Getting Results (Будущее время)

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