When reading scientific articles or news reports, you will often encounter predictions about what will happen. To report someone else's forecast, German uses the future tense of Konjunktiv I (indirect speech).
Forming the Future Konjunktiv I
The standard future tense uses the helper verb werden alongside an infinitive action verb. For indirect speech, you simply change the helper verb to its Konjunktiv I form.
For third-person singular subjects (he, she, it) like scientists, algorithms, or institutes, this form is werde.
Reporting without "dass"
Very often in journalism, the word dass (that) is dropped. When this happens, the reported statement acts like a normal main clause. The helper verb werde takes the second position, and the infinitive action verb gets pushed to the very end of the sentence.
| The scientist says the forecast will change everything. | Der Wissenschaftler sagt, die Prognose werde alles ändern. |
| He thinks virtual reality will save humanity. | Er meint, die virtuelle Realität werde die Menschheit retten. |
Reporting with "dass"
If the reported speech is introduced with a dass clause, standard subordinate word order applies. Both verbs are pushed to the end of the clause, and the conjugated helper verb (werde) lands at the very end, directly after the infinitive.
| The article reports that the innovation will solve the problem. | Der Artikel berichtet, dass die Innovation das Problem lösen werde. |
| He explains that the algorithm will optimize the daily routine. | Er erklärt, dass der Algorithmus den täglichen Ablauf optimieren werde. |
| The institute reports that virtual reality will improve the class. | Das Institut meldet, dass die virtuelle Realität den Unterricht verbessern werde. |