How to Form and Use the Future Tense in Greek for English Speakers

Understanding the Greek Future Tense

The future tense in Greek is used to describe actions that will happen later than the present moment. For English speakers learning Greek, it is important to understand how the future tense is formed and used to express intentions, predictions, or plans.

Formation of the Greek Future Tense

Greek verbs form the future tense by adding specific endings to the verb stem. The formation depends on the verb group (first, second, or third conjugation) and whether the verb is active or passive.

Active Voice Future Tense Formation

For most verbs, the future tense is formed by adding the particle θα before the present tense of the verb. This is the most common and straightforward way to express the future in modern Greek.

• θα + present tense verb (active voice)

For example, the verb γράφω (to write) in the future tense becomes θα γράφω (I will write).

Passive Voice Future Tense Formation

In the passive voice, the future tense is also formed with θα plus the present tense passive form of the verb.

For example, the verb γράφω in passive voice future is θα γράφομαι (I will be written).

Usage of the Greek Future Tense

The future tense in Greek is used in several contexts similar to English:

• To express future actions or events
• To make predictions about the future
• To express intentions or plans
• To give commands or requests politely

Examples of Future Tense Usage

Here are some example sentences using the future tense in Greek:

• Θα πάω στο σχολείο αύριο. – I will go to school tomorrow.
• Θα φάμε μαζί το βράδυ. – We will eat together in the evening.
• Θα διαβάσει το βιβλίο. – He/She will read the book.
• Θα σε βοηθήσω με την εργασία. – I will help you with the homework.

Common Future Tense Verbs and Their Forms

Tips for English Speakers Learning the Greek Future Tense

Since the Greek future tense uses the particle θα plus the present tense verb, English speakers can think of it as similar to using "will" plus the base verb in English. Practice by forming sentences with θα and the present tense to become comfortable with expressing future actions.