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Questions & Answers about Θα σε βοηθήσω αν έρθεις νωρίς.
What tense/aspect is Θα σε βοηθήσω? How is the future formed in Greek?
- θα marks future time.
- βοηθήσω is the perfective (aorist) stem; with θα it gives the simple future: a single, complete event (I will help).
- For a progressive/habitual future, use the imperfective: Θα σε βοηθάω/βοηθώ (I will be helping you / I will help you regularly).
Why is it σε, not σου?
Because βοηθάω/βοηθώ takes a direct object (accusative). So: σε βοηθώ = I help you. σου (genitive) is used with verbs like δίνω: Θα σου δώσω βοήθεια (I will give you help), but not with βοηθώ. Saying Θα σου βοηθήσω is wrong.
Where do object pronouns go with θα? Could I say Θα βοηθήσω σε?
Clitic object pronouns go before the verb with θα/να/μη(ν):
- Θα σε βοηθήσω (correct)
- Θα βοηθήσω σε (incorrect) After affirmative imperatives they go after the verb: Βοήθησέ με.
Why is it αν έρθεις and not αν θα έρθεις?
In conditional if-clauses, Greek uses the subjunctive without θα: Αν έρθεις, ... is correct. Αν θα έρθεις is not standard in conditionals. However, after verbs like I don’t know/wonder (whether), αν can be followed by θα: Δεν ξέρω αν θα έρθεις.
Why έρθεις and not έρχεσαι? What’s the difference?
- έρθεις (perfective subjunctive) = one-off event: if you come this time.
- έρχεσαι (imperfective indicative) after αν would mean a habit: Αν έρχεσαι νωρίς, σε βοηθάω (If you come early habitually, I help you as a rule).
What verb is έρθεις from, and what are the key forms?
From έρχομαι (I come).
- Present: έρχεσαι (you come/are coming)
- Aorist past: ήρθες (you came)
- Subjunctive: να έρθεις, αν έρθεις
- Future: θα έρθεις (you will come) — but not after αν in conditionals.
Can I replace αν with όταν or άμα here?
- αν = if (condition). Correct for this meaning.
- όταν = when (time). Όταν έρθεις νωρίς, θα σε βοηθήσω states a time relation, not a condition.
- άμα is colloquial and can mean if/when: Άμα έρθεις νωρίς, θα σε βοηθήσω is fine in everyday speech.
Do I need a comma: Θα σε βοηθήσω, αν έρθεις νωρίς?
Both with and without a comma are seen. Without comma is common when the condition is essential. If the αν-clause comes first, use a comma after it: Αν έρθεις νωρίς, θα σε βοηθήσω.
How do I pronounce βοηθήσω and έρθεις?
- βοηθήσω: [vo.iˈθiso] — οη are two vowels (vo‑i), θ as in English think.
- έρθεις: [ˈerθis] — tapped r, θ as in think, final -εις sounds like -is.
- Θα σε: [θa se].
Is there a difference between νωρίς, νωρίτερα, έγκαιρα, and πρωί?
- νωρίς = early.
- νωρίτερα = earlier.
- έγκαιρα = in time/on time.
- πρωί = in the morning (not the same as early).
Can I drop σε and just say Θα βοηθήσω?
You can, but then it’s unspecific (I will help). If you mean you, keep σε. For emphasis: Εσένα θα βοηθήσω or doubled: Εσένα θα σε βοηθήσω.
How do I make it negative?
Δεν θα σε βοηθήσω αν δεν έρθεις νωρίς. You put δεν before θα and also before the verb in the if-clause if that part is negative.
What’s the difference between Θα σε βοηθήσω and Να σε βοηθήσω?
- Θα σε βοηθήσω: future statement (I will help you).
- Να σε βοηθήσω;: offer/suggestion (Shall I help you?) or part of a purpose clause. After να, the verb is in the subjunctive.
Is βοηθάω or βοηθώ more correct? Does it change the future?
Both are correct and mean the same in the present. The simple future uses the perfective stem: θα βοηθήσω. The progressive future uses the imperfective: θα βοηθάω/θα βοηθώ.