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.

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.

Learn to chant through the following two paradigms:

Future Active Indicative Paradigm λύω

Future Middle Indicative Paradigm

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.

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.

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

Future of the Verb of Being: εἰμί (I am)

Be able to recognize the εἰμί futures when you see them.

Some verbs in the present tense have an active voice, but in the future tense there is no active form (“deponent” or true middles?):

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.

      λύσω                           λύσομεν    

      λύσεις                          λύσετε

      λύσει                           λύσουσι(ν) 

λύσομαι,  -ῃ,  -εται,        -ομεθα,  -εσθε,  -ονται

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)