conditional clauses in modern greek
As I can’t discuss all tenses and moods in this post, I’ll describe conditionals only. You’ll only find this useful if you already have a good grasp of them tenses and moods in modern greek. I’ll try to make posts on tenses and moods in the future.
First of all, conditional conjunctions in modern greek would be (ε)αν (if), έτσι και (if so much as), σε περίπτωση που (in the event that), among others. So...
Conditionals in greek involve two sentences, the if-sentence and the result-sentence.
Αν σε δω, θα σε χαιρετήσω = If I see you, I will salute you.
There are two types of conditionals: the ones that deal with real or possible stuff and the ones that deal with impossible stuff (things that won’t happen).
The verb of the if-sentence can be in any mood or tense but pluperfect.
The verb of the result-sentence can be in any mood or tense.
Αν (θα) δεις τον Γιάννη, πες του το. = If you see John, tell it to him.
Αν έχεις δει τον Γιάννη, θα το ξέρει. = If you have (already) seen John, he must know (he’s bound to know).
Αν έρχεται κανείς, ειδοποίησέ με. = If someone’s coming, let me know.
The verb of the if-sentence can be in the imperfect or the pluperfect.
The verb of the result-sentence can be in the conditional or the perfect conditional.
Same examples as before, though now no-one saw John and nobody came:
Αν έβλεπες τον Γιάννη, θα του το έλεγες = If you saw John, you would have told him.
Αν είχες δει τον Γιάννη, θα το ήξερε = If you had seen John, he would know.
Αν ερχόταν κανείς, θα με ειδοποιούσες = If someone was coming, you would have let me know.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.