LESSON 13
I Shall Will in Future
M1: Lesson Twelve Review
Review completed Practical Exercise A (L12_praxA_trans) from Lesson Twelve.
M2: English Future Tense
The future tense is used to indicate an action that is to occur at a later time. In English the future tense is made by means of an auxiliary placed before the verb. These auxiliaries are shall or will (past tense forms of should and would respectively). For example:
Jesus will heal the leper.
I shall eat the bread.
You will keep the law.
The majority of English-speakers today favour the auxiliary will over the nearly redundant shall when forming the future tense. Whilst there are semantical differences between shall and will, and grammatical rules governing their use, for all intent and purposes, they have become synonymous in meaning. For this reason, and for the sake of simplicity, this and all subsequent lessons will render the future tense in English using the auxiliary will exclusively.
M3: The Future Active
The future active case in Greek is formed by simply placing a sigma (σ) between the stem and the Present Indicative Active endings. The following table shows future forms of the verb λυω (I loose):
Note that the “movable ν” is also found in the future tense.
M4: The Mutes and the Future
Back in Section J6 of Lesson 10, when we were discussing euphony, we mentioned certain classifications of consonants called Gutturals, Labials and Dentals. Nine of these consonants—3 per classification—are called “mutes”:
Gutturals: κ γ x
Labials: π β φ
Dentals: τ δ θ
In forming the future tense of a verb whose stem ends in one of the mutes, the “future sigma” (σ) combines with it and both letters change into either an ξ, ψ or σ, depending on the classification of the stem consonant, before the ending is added on.
In addition to the mutes, there are three other stem endings that combine with the future σ to give ξ, ψ or σ:
σσ acts like a guttural giving ξ
πτ act like a labial giving ψ
ζ act like a dental giving σ
In other words, if the verb stem ends in a guttural κ, γ, x or σσ, and you add the σ + ending to form the future, the guttural and σ become a ξ.
If the verb stem ends in a labial π, β, φ or πτ, and you add the σ + ending to form the future, the labial and σ become a ψ.
If the verb stem ends in a dental τ, δ, θ or ζ, and you add the σ + ending to form the future, the dental and σ become a σ. (In actual fact, the dentals elide and the sigma remains, but as an aid to memory, it might be helpful to think of them as combining in the same way as the gutturals and labials.)
For example:
The stem of ἀνοιγω (I open) is ἀνοιγ-.
This stem ends in γ, a guttural.
To make I shall open, you add σ + ω, giving ἀνοιγsω.
But the γ and σ combine to make a ξ, resulting in ἀνοιξω.
So, the future of ἀνοιγω is ἀνοιξω.
Further examples:
The future of βλεπω is βλεψω.
The future of γραφω is γραψω.
The future of σωζω is σωσω.
The future of πειθω (I persuade) is πεισω.
Irregularity of note:
The future of ἐχω is ἑξω. (note the change from smooth to rough breathing)
This combing can be represented diagrammatically thus:
Gutturals: κ or γ or x or σσ + σ = ξ
Labials: π or β or φ or πτ + σ = ψ
Dentals: τ or δ or θ or ζ + σ = σ
Verbs that end in –εω lengthen the ε to η before the σ:
The future of φιλεω is φιλησω.
The future of λαλεω is λαλησω.
An exception to this is καλεω; which keeps the ε and then adds σ + the ending:
The future of καλεω is καλεσω.
N.B. Remember that the contractions in the verbs ending in –εω only take place when endings beginning with vowels are added to the stem’s ε (L8:H2). In the future active tense, the σ is insinuated between the stem ε and the ending, so no contraction takes place.
M5: Practical Exercise
Translate from Greek to English and from English to Greek. See L13 Practical A Translation (L13_praxA_trans). For vocabulary refer to L13 Vocabulary (L13_vocab).
Gutturals: κ γ x
Labials: π β φ
Dentals: τ δ θ
In forming the future tense of a verb whose stem ends in one of the mutes, the “future sigma” (σ) combines with it and both letters change into either an ξ, ψ or σ, depending on the classification of the stem consonant, before the ending is added on.
In addition to the mutes, there are three other stem endings that combine with the future σ to give ξ, ψ or σ:
σσ acts like a guttural giving ξ
πτ act like a labial giving ψ
ζ act like a dental giving σ
In other words, if the verb stem ends in a guttural κ, γ, x or σσ, and you add the σ + ending to form the future, the guttural and σ become a ξ.
If the verb stem ends in a labial π, β, φ or πτ, and you add the σ + ending to form the future, the labial and σ become a ψ.
If the verb stem ends in a dental τ, δ, θ or ζ, and you add the σ + ending to form the future, the dental and σ become a σ. (In actual fact, the dentals elide and the sigma remains, but as an aid to memory, it might be helpful to think of them as combining in the same way as the gutturals and labials.)
For example:
The stem of ἀνοιγω (I open) is ἀνοιγ-.
This stem ends in γ, a guttural.
To make I shall open, you add σ + ω, giving ἀνοιγsω.
But the γ and σ combine to make a ξ, resulting in ἀνοιξω.
So, the future of ἀνοιγω is ἀνοιξω.
Further examples:
The future of βλεπω is βλεψω.
The future of γραφω is γραψω.
The future of σωζω is σωσω.
The future of πειθω (I persuade) is πεισω.
Irregularity of note:
The future of ἐχω is ἑξω. (note the change from smooth to rough breathing)
This combing can be represented diagrammatically thus:
Gutturals: κ or γ or x or σσ + σ = ξ
Labials: π or β or φ or πτ + σ = ψ
Dentals: τ or δ or θ or ζ + σ = σ
Verbs that end in –εω lengthen the ε to η before the σ:
The future of φιλεω is φιλησω.
The future of λαλεω is λαλησω.
An exception to this is καλεω; which keeps the ε and then adds σ + the ending:
The future of καλεω is καλεσω.
N.B. Remember that the contractions in the verbs ending in –εω only take place when endings beginning with vowels are added to the stem’s ε (L8:H2). In the future active tense, the σ is insinuated between the stem ε and the ending, so no contraction takes place.
M5: Practical Exercise
Translate from Greek to English and from English to Greek. See L13 Practical A Translation (L13_praxA_trans). For vocabulary refer to L13 Vocabulary (L13_vocab).
LESSON 14
The Past Can Be Imperfect
N1: Lesson Thirteen Review
Review completed Practical Exercise A (L13_praxA_trans) from Lesson Thirten.
N2: The Imperfect Tense
The imperfect tense is used to express action that occurred in the past which was continuous or repeated, rather than a single, onetime event. Therefore the Greek imperfect indicative active corresponds to the English past continuous tense. There are two ways to express the past continuous in English:
I was healing lepers.
I used to heal lepers.
As a way to reinforce this correspondence, it is advisable to translate the Greek imperfect by using one of the two English past continuous forms. However, because of the emphasis on the temporal aspect of cases in English, many of these constructions will sound awkward. For example, instead of saying, “I was healing lepers,” to express a repeated or continuous past action, the tendency in English is to use the simple past tense: “I healed lepers”.
N3: The Imperfect Indicative Active
The imperfect indicative active verb form is made up of an ἐ+stem+ending. This prefix ἐ is called an augment and indicates a past tense. The following table shows the imperfect indicative active forms of the verb λυω:
Note:
1. The “movable ν” is only found in the 3rd person singular.
2. The 1st person singular and the 3rd person plural forms are the same.
However, with the –εω verbs, the contraction rules from L8:H2 must be followed. Diagrammatically, those rules are as follows:
ε + ε = ει
ε + ο = ου
(ε) + long vowel or diphthong
So, using φιλεω, here is how those rules affect the conjugation of the imperfect:
Notice that, unlike the present indicative active, all of the final forms are different to the final –ω verb forms.
Note, too, that there is no ν in the 3rd person singular.
The following table shows the imperfect forms of the verb φιλεω (I love):
The most noticeable feature of the imperfect form is the ἐ augment in front of the stem. If a verb begins with a vowel or diphthong, the addition of the augment lengthens the initial vowel. For example: ε becomes η; ο becomes ω; and α becomes η (not ā).
If the diphthong has a final iota, the initial vowel lengthens and the iota subscripts. These augment/vowel changes can be represented diagrammatically thus:
*In the majority of cases, the diphthong ευ is retained in the imperfect.
For example:
N.B. Since these vowel changes take place at the beginning of words, they must be noted carefully in order to determine the lexical form from the imperfect.
The ἐ augment also affects the vowels at the beginning of compound verb stems.
N5: Compound Verbs
A compound verb is a verb combined with a preposition. In English, compound verbs are more commonly formed as two separate words (e.g. run up, sit down), but can be formed by prefixing the preposition to the verb (e.g. understand, overreach, intake). The latter form of compound verb is used extensively in Greek.
There are three types of compound verbs in Greek:
1. Preservative: the original meanings of both the verb and preposition are retained. For example:
βαλλω = I throw ἐκ = out ἐκβαλλω = I throw out
2. Perfective: the preposition intensifies or completes the meaning of the verb.
λυω = I loose ἀπο = away from ἀπολυω = I release
3. Progressive: the preposition alters the meaning of the verb.
γινωσκω = I know ἀνα = up ἀναγινωσκω = I read
When an augment is added to a compound verb, it is placed between the preposition and the verb stem. This means that the initial augment + stem vowel changes mentioned above will happen, whenever the verb stem begins with a vowel or diphthong.
The augment can also cause changes to the preposition. If the preposition is ἀνα, ἀπο, δια, ἐπι, κατα, μετα, παρα or ὑπο, (not περι or προ) the final vowel elides. If it is ἐκ, it becomes ἐξ. For example:
Present Imperfect
ἀποθνησκω (I die) ἀπεθνησκον
ἐκβαλλω ἐξεβαλλον
ἀπαγω (I lead away) ἀπηγον
but περιπατεω (I walk) περιπατουν
N6: Practical Exercise: Vocabulary
A compound verb is a verb combined with a preposition. In English, compound verbs are more commonly formed as two separate words (e.g. run up, sit down), but can be formed by prefixing the preposition to the verb (e.g. understand, overreach, intake). The latter form of compound verb is used extensively in Greek.
There are three types of compound verbs in Greek:
1. Preservative: the original meanings of both the verb and preposition are retained. For example:
βαλλω = I throw ἐκ = out ἐκβαλλω = I throw out
2. Perfective: the preposition intensifies or completes the meaning of the verb.
λυω = I loose ἀπο = away from ἀπολυω = I release
3. Progressive: the preposition alters the meaning of the verb.
γινωσκω = I know ἀνα = up ἀναγινωσκω = I read
When an augment is added to a compound verb, it is placed between the preposition and the verb stem. This means that the initial augment + stem vowel changes mentioned above will happen, whenever the verb stem begins with a vowel or diphthong.
The augment can also cause changes to the preposition. If the preposition is ἀνα, ἀπο, δια, ἐπι, κατα, μετα, παρα or ὑπο, (not περι or προ) the final vowel elides. If it is ἐκ, it becomes ἐξ. For example:
Present Imperfect
ἀποθνησκω (I die) ἀπεθνησκον
ἐκβαλλω ἐξεβαλλον
ἀπαγω (I lead away) ἀπηγον
but περιπατεω (I walk) περιπατουν
N6: Practical Exercise: Vocabulary
Translate from Greek to English and from English to Greek. See L14 Practical A Translation (L14_praxA_trans). For vocabulary refer to L14 Vocabulary (L14_vocab).
