Αν κάποιος δεν απαντήσει, ρωτάω άλλη μια φορά.

If someone doesn't answer, I ask one more time.

Breakdown of Αν κάποιος δεν απαντήσει, ρωτάω άλλη μια φορά.

• δεν: not
• αν: if
• ρωτάω: to ask
• απαντάω: to answer

Questions & Answers about Αν κάποιος δεν απαντήσει, ρωτάω άλλη μια φορά.

Why is απαντήσει in this form—what tense/mood is it, and why after αν?

It is the aorist subjunctive, 3rd person singular of απαντώ/απαντάω. After αν (if), Greek normally uses the perfective subjunctive to talk about a single possible future event, focusing on whether it happens at all (completion), not on its duration. Hence αν (δεν) απαντήσει = if (he/she) (doesn’t) answer.

Why is it δεν and not μην before απαντήσει?

Because αν does not trigger μην. Use δεν in conditional clauses with αν: αν δεν έρθει, αν δεν απαντήσει. Reserve μη(ν) for subjunctive with να/ας and prohibitions: να μην απαντήσει, μην απαντήσεις.

Why is the second clause in the present (ρωτάω) instead of the future?

Present here states a general/habitual rule: “I ask again (as a policy).” If you mean a one-off future reaction, use the future: Αν κάποιος δεν απαντήσει, θα ρωτήσω άλλη μια φορά.

Could I say αν κάποιος δεν απαντά(ει) instead? What changes?

Yes, but it shifts aspect. Δεν απαντά(ει) (imperfective present) suggests an ongoing or typical lack of answering. Δεν απαντήσει (perfective subjunctive) is the neutral choice for a single potential occasion.