The Greek verb can feel like a jungle of forms until you see the map. This page lays out γράφω (to write) across the core tense grid, plus the conditional and subjunctive, so that you can place a new form quickly. Three recurring builders make the analytic cells easier to recognize.
The three tools
The analytic tense and mood forms on this map repeatedly use three small builders:
- θα builds the futures and conditionals — θα γράψω (I'll write), θα έγραφα (I would write).
- να builds the subjunctive — the all-purpose form that replaces the English infinitive: θέλω να γράψω (I want to write).
- έχω (the verb "to have") builds the perfects — έχω γράψει (I have written).
Within this grid, the remaining choices are the stem and endings after the builder. Aspect organizes the central past, future and subjunctive contrasts; the aspect overview develops that logic.
The whole grid
Here is γράφω laid out in the first person singular ("I …"). Each row is a form you will meet constantly.
| Form | Greek (1sg) | English | Built with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present | γράφω | I write / I'm writing | bare verb |
| Imperfect (past) | έγραφα | I was writing / used to write | bare verb, past endings |
| Aorist (past) | έγραψα | I wrote | perfective stem, past endings |
| Continuous future | θα γράφω | I'll be writing | θα + present |
| Simple future | θα γράψω | I'll write | θα + perfective |
| Conditional | θα έγραφα | I would write | θα + imperfect |
| Present perfect | έχω γράψει | I have written | έχω + γράψει |
| Pluperfect | είχα γράψει | I had written | είχα + γράψει |
| Future perfect | θα έχω γράψει | I'll have written | θα + έχω + γράψει |
| Subjunctive (imperfective) | να γράφω | (that) I write / be writing | να + present |
| Subjunctive (perfective) | να γράψω | (that) I write | να + perfective |
Notice the pattern in the right-hand column. The perfects are always έχω / είχα / θα έχω plus one unchanging form, γράψει (this frozen form is the aparémfato). The futures are always θα plus a full verb. The subjunctive is always να plus a full verb. There is nothing else to build.
Aspect runs down the middle
Look again at two rows that both translate as "I'll write": θα γράφω and θα γράψω. θα γράφω presents the writing internally or as an open habit; θα γράψω packages an occurrence or finite series as bounded. The same viewpoint contrast appears in the subjunctive (να γράφω vs να γράψω) and in the past (έγραφα vs έγραψα). It does not mechanically count events or assert objective completion.
This choice — imperfective vs perfective — is the spine of the Greek verb, and it has its own aspect overview. The contrast is overt in the past, future and subjunctive pairs shown here; the perfect tenses use their invariant perfect form rather than supplying a parallel imperfective perfect.
Γράφω ένα μήνυμα στη μητέρα μου.
ghráfo éna mínima sti mitéra mu
I'm writing a message to my mother.
Χθες έγραψα τρία μέιλ πριν κοιμηθώ.
chthes éghrapsa tría méil prin kimithó
Yesterday I wrote three emails before going to bed.
Παλιά έγραφα γράμματα με το χέρι.
paliá éghrafa ghrámata me to chéri
I used to write letters by hand.
The θα forms: futures and conditionals
θα is a single particle that never changes. Put it before a perfective dependent form for a bounded future (θα γράψω), before an imperfective present for an internal or open-habit future (θα γράφω), and before an imperfect for a conditional or "would" reading (θα έγραφα). The full logic is on the future overview.
Αύριο θα γράψω το τεστ των μαθηματικών.
ávrio tha ghrápso to test ton mathimatikón
Tomorrow I'll take the maths test.
Όσο ταξιδεύω, θα γράφω στο ημερολόγιό μου.
óso taksidhévo, tha ghráfo sto imerolóyió mu
While I travel, I'll be writing in my diary.
The έχω forms: the three perfects
The perfects all pair an auxiliary with the invariant γράψει. Present έχω γράψει = "I have written"; past είχα γράψει = "I had written"; and θα stacked on top gives θα έχω γράψει = "I'll have written". Because the invariant part never moves, all you conjugate is the little auxiliary. See the perfect overview.
Έχω γράψει ήδη το μισό βιβλίο.
écho ghrápsi ídhi to misó vivlío
I've already written half the book.
Όταν ήρθες, είχα γράψει τα πάντα.
ótan írthes, ícha ghrápsi ta pánda
By the time you came, I had written everything.
Μέχρι το βράδυ θα έχω γράψει την αναφορά.
méchri to vrádhi tha écho ghrápsi tin anaforá
By tonight I'll have written the report.
The να forms: the subjunctive
να plus a verb is Greek's answer to the English infinitive and to "that + subjunctive". It carries wishes, purpose and obligation, and it too takes an aspect choice. This is a whole world of syntax, opened up on the subjunctive overview.
Πρέπει να γράψω στον δάσκαλο σήμερα.
prépi na ghrápso ston dháskalo símera
I need to write to the teacher today.
Common Mistakes
1. Stacking έχω with the wrong second form. The perfect uses invariant γράψει, not inline ×έχω έγραψα.
✅ Έχω γράψει το γράμμα.
écho ghrápsi to ghráma
I've written the letter.
2. Treating θα + imperfect as ungrammatical because tomorrow is mentioned. It is a valid conditional when an explicit or understood condition licenses "would"; the plain prediction uses the non-past form.
✅ Αύριο θα έγραφα το γράμμα, αν είχα χρόνο.
ávrio tha éghrafa to ghráma, an ícha chróno
Tomorrow I would write the letter if I had time. (conditional)
✅ Αύριο θα γράψω το γράμμα.
ávrio tha ghrápso to ghráma
Tomorrow I'll write the letter.
3. Putting a past tense in a volitional να-clause. You can't "want" a completed past — after θέλω να the verb is a non-past form (να γράψω), not the aorist.
❌ Θέλω να έγραψα ένα ποίημα.
Incorrect — θέλω να takes a non-past verb: να γράψω, not the past έγραψα.
✅ Θέλω να γράψω ένα ποίημα.
thélo na ghrápso éna píima
I want to write a poem.
Key Takeaways
- Three recurring builders organize the analytic cells on this map: θα (futures/conditionals), να (subjunctive), and the έχω auxiliary (perfects).
- The perfects are an auxiliary + the invariant γράψει (έχω γράψει, είχα γράψει, θα έχω γράψει).
- The past, future and subjunctive pairs contrast internal/open imperfective viewpoint with bounded perfective viewpoint; event count is not the rule.
- Five active principal parts generate this map for regular verbs; voice and irregular allomorphy require additional information.
Now practice Greek
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Start learning Greek →Related Topics
- Aspect in the Past: Imperfect vs AoristA2 — For verbs that supply an aspect pair, Greek contrasts the imperfect's internal or unbounded view (έγραφα) with the aorist's bounded view (έγραψα); context and construal, not event count alone, decide the aspect.
- The Future With θαA2 — Greek's central future construction uses one unchanging particle—θα—before a finite verb: θα γράψω, θα πάω, θα σε δω. This hub covers its position, negation, aspect contrast, conditional use and probability reading.
- The Perfect TensesB1 — Greek builds every perfect analytically — the auxiliary έχω (or its past είχα, or θα έχω) plus one invariable form, the -ει απαρέμφατο. Only the auxiliary conjugates; the second word never changes, which is exactly what makes the whole system easy once you have that one form.