Future Tense: Imperfective and Perfective

Russian has two future tense forms, depending on the aspect of the verb.

Imperfective future (compound)

быть (conjugated) + imperfective infinitive - Я буду читать — I will be reading / I will read (ongoing). - Emphasis on the process, not the result.

Perfective future (simple)

Perfective verbs conjugate like present tense, but the meaning is future. - Я прочитаю — I will (finish) reading. - Emphasis on completion.

Choosing the right form

• Process/ongoing → imperfective future: Завтра я буду читать эту книгу.
• Completion → perfective future: Завтра я прочитаю эту книгу (by tomorrow I'll have read it all).