Завтра я буду писать контрольную работу.

Tomorrow I will write a test.

Breakdown of Завтра я буду писать контрольную работу.

• я: I
• писать: to write
• быть: to be
• завтра: tomorrow
• контрольная работа: the test

Questions & Answers about Завтра я буду писать контрольную работу.

Why is the verb phrase я буду писать used here instead of a simple future like я напишу?

The construction буду + infinitive (here буду писать) uses the imperfective aspect, focusing on the process or duration of the action (“I will be in the middle of writing”). In contrast, я напишу uses the perfective verb написать, emphasizing the completion of the action (“I will write/finish writing”). So:

• я буду писать → “I will be writing” (ongoing activity)
• я напишу → “I will write” (complete the test)

What grammatical case is контрольную работу, and why?

Контрольную работу is in the accusative case, singular, feminine. It’s the direct object of the verb писать. In Russian, most feminine nouns ending in -а form the accusative by replacing -а with -у (or -ю after certain consonants):

• контрольная работа (nominative)
• контрольную работу (accusative)

Can we omit the pronoun я in this sentence?

Yes. Russian often drops subject pronouns because the verb ending already indicates person and number. You could say simply:

• Завтра буду писать контрольную работу.

It’s grammatically correct and sounds more natural in many contexts.

Why does завтра come at the beginning? Can word order change?

Russian has relatively free word order. Placing завтра first emphasizes “tomorrow.” You could also say:

• Я буду писать контрольную работу завтра.
• Буду писать завтра контрольную работу.

All are correct; the difference lies in emphasis and style.

What exactly does контрольная работа mean? Is it the same as “test” or “exam”?

Контрольная работа literally means “control work.” In school/university it usually refers to a test or quiz that checks your knowledge on a topic. It’s less formal than экзамен (“exam”) but more formal than устный опрос (“oral quiz”).

Could I use the present tense я пишу контрольную работу завтра to talk about the future?

Yes, especially in spoken Russian. Using the present tense with a clear time adverbial is common:

• Я пишу контрольную работу завтра.

It’s understood as future because of завтра.

What’s the nuance between буду писать and собираюсь писать?

• буду писать simply states what will happen in the future.
• собираюсь писать (from собираться + infinitive) implies intention or a plan (“I’m going to write”). It’s closer to “I intend to write.”

If I want to stress “writing” as opposed to “preparing,” how would word order help?

Moving the word you want to stress toward the end often highlights it:

• Neutral: Завтра я буду писать контрольную работу.
• Emphasis on writing process: Завтра я буду писать контрольную работу. (standard)
• Emphasis on “контрольную работу” as the task: Завтра я буду писать контрольную работу. (place it last or with intonation)

In speech, intonation does most of the emphasis work, but word order can support it.