Lesson 2

Present and Future Active Indicative

Tense, voice, and mood; personal endings for ω-verbs; the future σ.

Understanding verbs: tense, voice, and mood

A verb expresses an action or a state: 'read', 'hear', and 'be' are verbs. The subject is the person or thing the sentence says something about. In 'the disciple reads', 'the disciple' is the subject and 'reads' is the verb. Three labels help us describe a Greek verb form: tense, voice, and mood.

Tense helps us describe an action in relation to time. Compare English 'I read every day', 'I read yesterday', and 'I will read tomorrow'. In this lesson, the Greek present indicative usually describes what happens now or regularly, while the future indicative describes what will happen. Greek tense also involves how an action is viewed, such as an activity in progress or an event viewed as a whole. For now, focus on recognizing present and future forms.

Voice describes how the subject relates to the action. In the active voice, the subject does the action: 'the disciple releases the prisoner'. In the passive voice, the subject receives the action: 'the prisoner is released'. The same event is described from different sides. Greek also has a middle voice, which often presents the subject as personally involved in or affected by the action; its uses will be introduced later. This lesson teaches active forms.

Mood describes how the speaker presents the action. Compare 'you read' (a statement), 'do you read?' (a question), and 'read!' (a command). Greek normally uses the indicative mood for statements and questions that present something as a fact. This does not guarantee that the statement is true: 'the disciple does not read' is still indicative. Commands and possibilities use other forms that you will learn later. Here, 'mood' is a grammar term, not the speaker's feelings.

Put the labels together: 'present active indicative' means a present-tense form in which the subject does the action and the speaker makes a statement or asks a question. λύω means 'I loose' or 'I release'; λύσω, 'I will loose' or 'I will release', is future active indicative. 'Loose' here means 'set free', not 'lose'. You will see these labels above the verb charts; use them to understand what each chart is showing.

λύω — I release — present active indicative
λύσω — I will release — future active indicative

The verb stem and endings

A Greek verb is built from a stem plus an ending. The stem carries the meaning ('loose', 'see', 'say'), and the ending tells you who is doing the action and when. Because the ending already shows the person, Greek usually does not need a subject pronoun: λύω all by itself means 'I loose', and λύεις means 'you loose'.

The present active endings are: -ω (I), -εις (you), -ει (he/she/it), -ομεν (we), -ετε (you plural), -ουσι(ν) (they). Attach them to the stem λυ- and you can conjugate the whole present tense. These same endings work for hundreds of verbs, so learning them once pays off immediately.

The final ν of -ουσι(ν) is called movable nu. It appears when the next word begins with a vowel or at the end of a clause, to keep vowels from colliding. It changes nothing about the meaning.

The indicative mood simply means the verb states a fact or asks a question — it is the default mood you will meet in almost every sentence of the New Testament.

γράφομεν — we write (γραφ- + -ομεν)
λέγει — he/she/it says (λέγ- + -ει)
βλέπουσιν — they see (with movable nu)

Connecting statements with καί, οὐ, and ὅτι

Three short words let you build more varied sentences with these verbs: καί means 'and' or 'also'; οὐ means 'not'; and ὅτι can mean 'that' or 'because'. γράφω καὶ λέγω means 'I write and speak', while λέγω ὅτι πιστεύω means 'I say that I believe'. The words after ὅτι give the content of what is said. Before another word, the acute accent on καί is written as a grave: καὶ.

Use οὐ to make a statement negative: οὐ γράφω means 'I do not write'. Before a vowel, οὐ is written οὐκ, or οὐχ before a rough breathing: οὐκ ἀκούω, 'I do not hear'. These are three spellings of the same vocabulary word.

ἀκούω καὶ βλέπω. — I hear and see.
οὐ πέμπετε. — You do not send (plural).
πιστεύομεν ὅτι σῴζει. — We believe that he/she saves.

The future

For the regular future introduced here, add σ to the stem and use the active endings you just learned: λύ-σ-ω, 'I will loose'. Other verbs have different future stems; lesson 12 will show how to recognize those. For now, use the future forms given in this lesson and the vocabulary.

The complication is that stems ending in a consonant collide with the σ and merge into a new spelling. Labial letters (π, β, φ) + σ become ψ: βλέπω → βλέψω. Palatal letters (κ, γ, χ) + σ become ξ: ἄγω → ἄξω. Dental letters (τ, δ, θ) simply drop out before σ: πείθω → πείσω.

Do not memorize these as abstract rules. Learn them by watching real verbs: when you meet ψ or ξ inside a future form, you now know a consonant + σ is hiding there.

βλέψομεν — we will see (π + σ = ψ)
ἄξει — he will lead (γ + σ = ξ)
πείσω — I will persuade (θ drops before σ)

The present active infinitive

The infinitive is the verb form that names the action itself, without saying who does it — English 'to loose', 'to see', 'to believe'. Greek forms the present active infinitive by adding -ειν to the stem: λύ-ειν, 'to loose'. It has no person and no number, so there is only one form to learn.

Start by joining an infinitive to a verb such as θέλω, 'I want': θέλω γράφειν means 'I want to write'. The ending of θέλω tells you who wants; γράφειν names the action. Later lessons will show other ways an infinitive can work in a sentence.

Learn the accent with each form: λύειν has its accent on the next-to-last syllable. In the regular present verbs studied here, -ειν is the active infinitive ending. Other tense forms can also end in -ειν, so the ending alone will not always tell you the tense. For this lesson, learn the complete forms λύειν, γράφειν, and πιστεύειν.

θέλω λύειν — I want to loose (infinitive completing θέλω)
θέλω γράφειν — I want to write (γράφειν names the action)
πιστεύειν — to believe (πίστευ- + -ειν)

Accents in the verb forms learned hereOptional reference

Regular present and future verb forms with a person ending move their accent as far toward the beginning as the accent rules allow. This is called recessive accent: the accent 'backs up'. In λύομεν ('we release'), it can reach the third syllable from the end; in λύω ('I release'), the long final ω keeps it on the next-to-last syllable.

The infinitive ('to release') has its own pattern; do not apply this rule to it. Compare πιστεύομεν ('we believe') with πιστεύειν ('to believe'): the infinitive keeps the accent on ευ although the final syllable is long. Later, verbs whose vowels merge, such as ποιῶ ('I do'), also need their own explanation. Use the accented forms supplied in their lessons.

λύω, λύομεν, λύσομεν — I release, we release, we will release
πιστεύειν — to believe: learn the infinitive's accent with its form

Paradigms

λύω — Present Active Indicative

Lesson 2

	Singular	Plural
1st person	λύω	λύομεν
2nd person	λύεις	λύετε
3rd person	λύει	λύουσι(ν)

λύσω — Future Active Indicative

Lesson 2

	Singular	Plural
1st person	λύσω	λύσομεν
2nd person	λύσεις	λύσετε
3rd person	λύσει	λύσουσι(ν)

λύειν — Present Active Infinitive

Lesson 2

	Form
Infinitive	λύειν

Vocabulary (15)

ἀκούω: I hear, listen to
βλέπω: I see, look
γράφω: I write
διδάσκω: I teach, instruct
ἔχω: I have, hold
λέγω: I say, speak
λύω: I loose, unbind, release
πιστεύω: I believe, trust
ἄγω: I lead, bring
θέλω: I wish, am willing
πέμπω: I send
σῴζω: I save, rescue
καί: and, also, even
οὐ, οὐκ, οὐχ: not
ὅτι: that, because

Exercises

Constructed exercises (10)

For the form drills, identify tense, person, number, and meaning; infinitives have no person or number. Translate the short sentences. Compare your work with the model answers. Other valid translations are welcome; there is no automatic grading.

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1. Releasing and leading: present patterns
1. λύει
2. λύετε
3. λύουσιν
4. ἄγω
5. ἄγει
6. ἄγουσιν
7. ἄγειν
Response for exercise 1
1. He/she/it releases.
2. You release.
3. They release.
4. I lead.
5. He/she/it leads.
6. They lead.
7. To lead.
2. Sending and saving: present patterns
1. πέμπω
2. πέμπει
3. πέμπειν
4. σῴζει
5. σῴζειν
Response for exercise 2
1. I send.
2. He/she/it sends.
3. To send.
4. He/she/it saves.
5. To save.
3. Hearing and seeing: personal endings
1. ἀκούεις
2. ἀκούει
3. ἀκούομεν
4. ἀκούετε
5. βλέπω
6. βλέπεις
7. βλέπετε
8. βλέπομεν
Response for exercise 3
1. You hear.
2. He/she/it hears.
3. We hear.
4. You hear.
5. I see.
6. You see.
7. You see.
8. We see.
4. Writing and teaching: finite forms and infinitives
1. γράφω
2. γράφει
3. γράφομεν
4. γράψω
5. διδάσκω
6. διδάσκεις
7. διδάσκει
8. διδάσκειν
Response for exercise 4
1. I write.
2. He/she/it writes.
3. We write.
4. I will write.
5. I teach.
6. You teach.
7. He/she/it teaches.
8. To teach.
5. Speaking, willing and having: personal endings
1. λέγομεν
2. λέγετε
3. λέγουσιν
4. θέλεις
5. θέλομεν
6. θέλετε
7. ἔχομεν
8. ἔχετε
9. ἔχειν
Response for exercise 5
1. We say/speak.
2. You say/speak.
3. They say/speak.
4. You want.
5. We want.
6. You want.
7. We have.
8. You have.
9. To have.
6. Future stems and endings
1. ἀκούσει
2. βλέψετε
3. ἄξει
4. πέμψει
5. πιστεύσει
6. πιστεύσομεν
7. πιστεύσετε
8. πέμψουσιν
Response for exercise 6
1. He/she/it will hear.
2. You will see.
3. He/she/it will lead.
4. He/she/it will send.
5. He/she/it will believe.
6. We will believe.
7. You will believe.
8. They will send.
7. Two infinitives
θέλω ἀκούειν καὶ βλέπειν.
Response for exercise 7
1. I want to hear and to see.
8. Negation and infinitive
οὐκ ἀκούω καὶ οὐ θέλω βλέπειν.
Response for exercise 8
1. I do not hear, and I do not want to see.
9. A statement with that
λέγομεν ὅτι οὐ θέλομεν ἄγειν.
Response for exercise 9
1. We say that we do not want to lead.
10. Present and future together
θέλω γράφειν καὶ γράψω.
Response for exercise 10
1. I want to write, and I will write.

New Testament exercises (10)

Greek → English: translate each reading. Use the reading aids below each exercise for unfamiliar words and forms.

Ellipses mark omitted source words. There is no automatic grading.

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1. John 9:38 · excerpt
… Πιστεύω, κύριε· καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ.
Reading aids (3) for exercise 1
κύριε

Lord! (direct address)
προσεκύνησεν

he worshiped / paid homage
αὐτῷ

him/it (dative)
Translation and notes for exercise 1
2. John 9:35 · excerpt
… Σὺ πιστεύεις εἰς τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου;
Reading aids (3) for exercise 2
Σὺ

you (singular)
εἰς

in (with πιστεύω here)
τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου

the Son of Man (the object phrase)
Translation and notes for exercise 2
3. Matthew 26:18 · excerpt
… Ὁ διδάσκαλος λέγει· Ὁ καιρός μου ἐγγύς ἐστιν· …
Reading aids (6) for exercise 3
Ὁ

the
διδάσκαλος

teacher
καιρός

time, season, opportunity
μου

my
ἐγγύς

near
ἐστιν

is
Translation and notes for exercise 3
4. 2 Cor 4:13 · excerpt
… καὶ ἡμεῖς πιστεύομεν, διὸ καὶ λαλοῦμεν,
Reading aids (3) for exercise 4
ἡμεῖς

we
διὸ

therefore
λαλοῦμεν

we speak (contracted present form)
Translation and notes for exercise 4
5. John 10:25 · excerpt
ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Εἶπον ὑμῖν καὶ οὐ πιστεύετε· …
Reading aids (6) for exercise 5
ἀπεκρίθη

he answered
αὐτοῖς

to them
ὁ

the
Ἰησοῦς

Jesus
Εἶπον

I said, told
ὑμῖν

to you (plural)
Translation and notes for exercise 5
6. John 16:9 · verse
περὶ ἁμαρτίας μέν, ὅτι οὐ πιστεύουσιν εἰς ἐμέ·
Reading aids (5) for exercise 6
περὶ

(+gen) concerning; (+acc) around
ἁμαρτίας

sin
μέν

indeed; marks the first part of a statement
εἰς

in (with πιστεύω here)
ἐμέ

me
Translation and notes for exercise 6
7. John 14:26 · excerpt
… ἐκεῖνος ὑμᾶς διδάξει πάντα καὶ ὑπομνήσει ὑμᾶς πάντα …
Reading aids (4) for exercise 7
ἐκεῖνος

that one; he
ὑμᾶς

you (plural, object)
πάντα

all things
ὑπομνήσει

he will remind
Translation and notes for exercise 7
8. John 16:12 · verse
Ἔτι πολλὰ ἔχω ὑμῖν λέγειν, ἀλλʼ οὐ δύνασθε βαστάζειν ἄρτι·
Reading aids (7) for exercise 8
Ἔτι

still
πολλὰ

many things
ὑμῖν

to you (plural)
ἀλλʼ

but
δύνασθε

you can (plural)
βαστάζειν

to bear
ἄρτι

now, at present
Translation and notes for exercise 8
9. Mark 4:9 · verse
καὶ ἔλεγεν· Ὃς ἔχει ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω.
Reading aids (4) for exercise 9
ἔλεγεν

he was saying / used to say
Ὃς

the one who; whoever
ὦτα

ears
ἀκουέτω

let that person listen (third-person singular command)
Translation and notes for exercise 9
10. 3 John 1:13 · excerpt
… οὐ θέλω διὰ μέλανος καὶ καλάμου σοι γράφειν·
Reading aids (4) for exercise 10
διὰ

through (+ genitive); because of (+ accusative)
μέλανος

ink (genitive)
καλάμου

a reed pen (genitive)
σοι

to you (singular)
Translation and notes for exercise 10

Septuagint (LXX) exercises (4)

Greek → English: translate each reading. Use the reading aids below each exercise for unfamiliar words and forms.

Ellipses mark omitted source words. There is no automatic grading.

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1. 4 Kingdoms 3:17 (2 Kings 3:17) · excerpt
ὅτι τάδε λέγει Κύριος Οὐκ ὄψεσθε πνεῦμα καὶ οὐκ ὄψεσθε ὑετόν, …
Reading aids (5) for exercise 1
τάδε

these things; here, thus
Κύριος

the Lord
ὄψεσθε

you will see (plural; future middle form)
πνεῦμα

wind
ὑετόν

rain
Translation and notes for exercise 1
2. Exodus 32:18 · excerpt
καὶ λέγει Οὐκ ἔστιν φωνὴ ἐξαρχόντων κατ᾽ ἰσχὺν … ἀλλὰ φωνὴν ἐξαρχόντων οἴνου ἐγὼ ἀκούω.
Reading aids (8) for exercise 2
ἔστιν

it is; there is
φωνὴ

a voice, sound
ἐξαρχόντων

of people leading or starting a song or cry
κατ᾽ ἰσχὺν

in strength; here, in triumph
ἀλλὰ

but
φωνὴν

a voice, sound
οἴνου

of wine; here, associated with a drinking song
ἐγὼ

I
Translation and notes for exercise 2
3. Ezekiel 12:2 · excerpt
… ἔχουσιν ὀφθαλμοὺς τοῦ βλέπειν καὶ οὐ βλέπουσιν, καὶ ὦτα ἔχουσιν τοῦ ἀκούειν καὶ οὐκ ἀκούουσιν· …
Reading aids (4) for exercise 3
ὀφθαλμοὺς

eyes
τοῦ βλέπειν

for seeing; to see
ὦτα

ears
τοῦ ἀκούειν

for hearing; to hear
Translation and notes for exercise 3
4. Isaiah 30:15 · excerpt
οὕτω λέγει κύριος Κύριος ὁ ἅγιος τοῦ Ἰσραήλ … οὐκ ἠβούλεσθε ἀκούειν,
Reading aids (4) for exercise 4
οὕτω

thus, in this way
κύριος Κύριος

the Lord God
ὁ ἅγιος τοῦ Ἰσραήλ

the Holy One of Israel
ἠβούλεσθε

you were willing (plural; imperfect middle form)
Translation and notes for exercise 4

Present and Future Active Indicative

Understanding verbs: tense, voice, and mood

The verb stem and endings

Connecting statements with καί, οὐ, and ὅτι

The future

The present active infinitive

Paradigms

λύω — Present Active Indicative

λύσω — Future Active Indicative

λύειν — Present Active Infinitive

Vocabulary (15)

Exercises

Constructed exercises (10)

1. Releasing and leading: present patterns

2. Sending and saving: present patterns

3. Hearing and seeing: personal endings

4. Writing and teaching: finite forms and infinitives

5. Speaking, willing and having: personal endings

6. Future stems and endings

7. Two infinitives

8. Negation and infinitive

9. A statement with that

10. Present and future together

New Testament exercises (10)

Reading aids (3) for exercise 1

Reading aids (3) for exercise 2

Reading aids (6) for exercise 3

Reading aids (3) for exercise 4

Reading aids (6) for exercise 5

Reading aids (5) for exercise 6

Reading aids (4) for exercise 7

Reading aids (7) for exercise 8

Reading aids (4) for exercise 9

Reading aids (4) for exercise 10

Septuagint (LXX) exercises (4)

Reading aids (5) for exercise 1

Reading aids (8) for exercise 2

Reading aids (4) for exercise 3

Reading aids (4) for exercise 4