Αν η πόλη είναι μακριά, θα έρθω αύριο.

to be

Breakdown of Αν η πόλη είναι μακριά, θα έρθω αύριο.

• αύριο: tomorrow
• έρχομαι: to come
• θα: will
• αν: if
• η πόλη: the city
• μακριά: far

Questions & Answers about Αν η πόλη είναι μακριά, θα έρθω αύριο.

What kind of conditional is this, and why is the present used in the if‑clause?

It’s a real (neutral) future condition. Greek typically uses the present indicative in the if‑clause to state a possible situation (Αν η πόλη είναι μακριά) and then uses θα + simple future in the main clause (θα έρθω) for the resulting action. The choice of simple future here (see below) presents a single, complete future event (coming tomorrow).

Why not say αν θα είναι or αν θα έρθω?

In standard Greek you don’t use θα in the conditional if‑clause. You say:

• Αν η πόλη είναι μακριά, θα έρθω αύριο. Use αν + θα only in indirect yes/no questions (not conditions), e.g. Δεν ξέρω αν θα έρθω (I don’t know if I will come).

What’s the difference between αν, εάν, and άμα?

• αν: the default everyday word for if.
• εάν: more formal/literary; fully interchangeable with αν in meaning.
• άμα: colloquial/informal for if/when, common in speech. Your sentence would also be fine as Άμα η πόλη είναι μακριά, θα έρθω αύριο.

Can I swap the clause order? What about the comma?

Yes. Both are fine:

• Αν η πόλη είναι μακριά, θα έρθω αύριο. (If‑clause first → comma required.)
• Θα έρθω αύριο αν η πόλη είναι μακριά. (Main clause first → usually no comma.)

Where can αύριο go? Does word order change the meaning?

It’s flexible:

• Θα έρθω αύριο. (Neutral.)
• Αύριο θα έρθω. (Slight emphasis on tomorrow.)
• Θα έρθω αύριο, αν… / Αν…, θα έρθω αύριο. Meaning stays the same; fronting Αύριο adds focus to that time.

Why θα έρθω and not θα έρχομαι?

• θα έρθω = simple (punctual) future: a single arrival tomorrow.
• θα έρχομαι = future continuous: repeated/habitual or ongoing coming (e.g., I will be coming every week). With a one‑off time like αύριο, use θα έρθω.

What exactly is έρθω? Are θα ’ρθω or θα έλθω also correct?

• έρθω is the aorist subjunctive of έρχομαι used after θα to form the simple future.
• θα ’ρθω is a very common spoken contraction (elision of the initial vowel): perfectly natural.
• θα έλθω is a more formal/conservative variant; fine in writing or formal speech.

Can I use μακρινή instead of μακριά? Any nuance?

• μακριά is an adverb meaning far (away) and is the usual choice with είμαι for physical distance: Η πόλη είναι μακριά.
• μακρινή is an adjective meaning distant; Η πόλη είναι μακρινή sounds like describing the city as a distant one by nature/characterization. You can intensify with πολύ: πολύ μακριά.

Do I need to say μακριά από… to be complete?

Not necessarily. Η πόλη είναι μακριά stands on its own. If you want to specify the reference point, add από:

• Η πόλη είναι μακριά από εδώ/από εμένα/από την Αθήνα.

Any common spelling or pronunciation pitfalls in this sentence?

• Αν has no accent (don’t write άν in Modern Greek).
• η πόλη: η (no accent) is the feminine article; don’t confuse with ή = or. πόλη (city) is different from πολύ (very/much).
• μακριά is the standard spelling; μακρυά is older/less standard.
• είναι is spelled with ει; in fast speech you may hear είν’ (elision).
• έρθω stress stays on the first syllable. You’ll often hear θα ’ρθω; pronounce the cluster ρθ as r + th (th as in English thin).
• Gender note: πόλη is feminine, hence η πόλη.