Reading: Future Verbs (Textbook)
CHAPTER 10: Future Verbs
You will be able to—
1. write the future active and middle verb forms,
2. parse and translate future active and middle verbs,
3. recognize and anticipate how the future endings will affect the stem,
4. gain more practice in translating and working with Greek, and
5. master ten more high-frequency vocabulary words.
Introduction
In English we have several tenses:
- In the present tense we say, “We go to college.”
- For the past we say, “We went to college.”
- For the future we say, “We will go to college.”
In the present tense in Greek, we have seen that aspect, not primarily time, is the focus. The future tense form in Greek specifies that the action of the verb takes place with a prospective viewpoint of expectation (Porter, Idioms, 43). Thus tense is probably not the best way to define this form. However, for our workbook sentences out of context we will generally use the English future to specify the expectation of this form. When reading in context remember the diverse options for this prospective looking expectational form. Here are three ways it is used:
1. expectation/prospective (e.g., “We will go”),
2. imperative/command (e.g., “You shall go”), or
3. deliberative, with rhetorical questions
(e.g., “To whom shall we go?”).
The future tense form is built by adding a σ between the stem and the pronominal ending. Note that the future uses the primary endings you already have learned.
Stem |
Future Connective |
Ending |
I will loose |
λυ + |
σ + |
ω = |
λύσω |
Learn to chant through the following two paradigms:
Future Active Indicative Paradigm λύω
|
Singular |
|
Plural |
|
1. |
λύσω |
I will loose |
λύσομεν |
We will loose |
2. |
λύσεις |
You will loose |
λύσετε |
You will loose |
3. |
λύσει |
He/she/it will loose |
λύσουσι(ν) |
They will loose |
Future Middle Indicative Paradigm
|
Singular |
|
Plural |
|
1. |
λύσομαι |
I will loose (for myself) |
λυσόμεθα |
We will loose (for ourselves) |
2. |
λύσῃ |
You will loose (for yourself) |
λύσεσθε |
You will loose (for yourselves) |
3. |
λύσεται |
He/she/it will loose (for himself/herself/itself) |
λύσονται |
They will loose (for themselves) |
Note that the future active uses the primary endings that you already learned for the present active indicative. The middle uses the primary middle/passive endings you just learned for the present tense also. Yes, the future is easy, but watch out for the irregular forms. Its form and history connect with the subjunctive mood which we will look at later which also has an expectational aspect.
Five Stem Variations
The adding of the sigma may change the final consonant of the verb stem in the following five ways:
1. If after a palatal (κ, γ, or χ)
[κ, γ, or χ] + σ ==> ξ
ἔχω ==> ἕξω I will have (note breathing change) . . .
ἄγω ==> ἄξω I will lead, bring . . .
2. If after a labial (π, β, or φ)
[π, β, or φ] + σ ==> ψ
βλέπω ==> βλέψω I will see
γράφω ==> γράψω I will write
3. If after a dental (τ, δ, or θ)
[τ, δ, or θ] + σ ==> σ
πείθω ==> πείσω I will persuade
4. If after a liquid (λ, μ, ν, or ρ), (I call these “lemoners”—lmnr + s), the sigma is dropped and the ω is accented with a circumflex. When a present stem ends in a double liquid consonant, one of them is sometimes dropped. The key is the circumflex over the primary ending instead of the normal acute accent. With the dropping of the sigma, there is a strengthening of the ο and ε connecting vowels so that the ο becomes οῦ and the ε becomes an εῖ.
μένω ==> μενῶ |
I will remain. |
ἀποστέλλω ==> ἀποστελῶ |
I will send. |
ἀποστέλλ + σ + ομεθα ==> ἀποστελούμεθα |
We will send. |
μέν + σ + ετε ==> μενεῖτε |
You-all will remain. |
5. If the stem ends in a sibilant (σ, ζ), the sibilant is dropped and the sigma of the ending is kept.
σῴζω + σ ==> σώσω I will save
Future Connective σ Addition
Velars |
Dentals |
κ, γ, or χ + σ = ξ |
τ, δ, or θ + σ = σ |
Labials |
Liquid (Lemoners) |
π, β, or φ + σ = ψ |
λ, μ, ν, or ρ + σ = ῶ, -οῦμεν, -εῖτε, etc. |
Sibilants |
|
σ or ζ + σ = σ |
|
Future of the Verb of Being: εἰμί (I am)
|
Singular |
|
Plural |
|
1. |
ἔσομαι |
I will be |
ἐσόμεθα |
We will be |
2. |
ἔσῃ |
You will be |
ἔσεσθε |
You will be |
3. |
ἔσται |
He/she/it will be |
ἔσονται |
They will be |
Be able to recognize the εἰμί futures when you see them.
Deponent Futures
Some verbs in the present tense have an active voice, but in the future tense there is no active form (“deponent” or true middles?):
Present |
Future |
|
λαμβάνω |
λήμψομαι |
I will take, receive |
γινώσκω |
γνώσομαι |
I will know |
Irregular Futures
Occasionally the future stem is totally different from the original present stem. Thus, as you learn more verbs, you should learn both stem forms. You just have to learn these tricky irregular verbs and keep your eyes open for them. The good part is that there are not too many of them.
Present |
Future |
|
ἔρχομαι |
ἐλεύσομαι |
I will come, go |
γινώσκω |
γνώσομαι |
I will know |
λέγω |
ἐρῶ |
I will say |
Chant the Future Active and Middle Indicative:
λύσω λύσομεν
λύσεις λύσετε
λύσει λύσουσι(ν)
λύσομαι, -ῃ, -εται, -ομεθα, -εσθε, -ονται
Translation Examples
ὅτε οἱ νεκροὶ ἀκούσουσιν τῆς φωνῆς
when the dead will hear the voice (Jn. 5:25)
ἀλλ᾽ ἕξει τὸ φῶς τῆς ζωῆς
But he will have the light of life (Jn. 8:12)
ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ γνώσεσθε ὑμεῖς
in that day you will know (Jn. 14:20)
Vocabulary
ζωή, -ῆς, ἡ |
life (135) |
θάνατος, -ου, ὁ |
death (120) |
κρίνω |
I judge (114) |
μένω |
I remain (118) |
μόνος, -η, -ον |
only, alone (114) |
νῦν |
now (147) |
οὐδέ |
and not, nor (143) |
Παῦλος, -ου, ὁ |
Paul (158) |
σῴζω |
I save (106) |
τότε |
then (160) |