Breakdown of Αν ξετυλίξεις το πακέτο τώρα, θα πρέπει μετά να το τυλίξεις ξανά πριν έρθουν οι καλεσμένοι.
τώρα
now
να
to
πρέπει
to have to
πριν
before
Questions & Answers about Αν ξετυλίξεις το πακέτο τώρα, θα πρέπει μετά να το τυλίξεις ξανά πριν έρθουν οι καλεσμένοι.
Why is it Αν ξετυλίξεις and not something with θα?
After αν when Greek means if, Greek normally does not use θα. Instead, it often uses the subjunctive form of the verb, which here looks the same as the aorist subjunctive:
- αν ξετυλίξεις = if you unwrap
- not αν θα ξετυλίξεις
So the pattern is:
- Αν + subjunctive, main clause often with θα
That is why the sentence has:
- Αν ξετυλίξεις ... , θα πρέπει ...
What form is ξετυλίξεις?
ξετυλίξεις is the aorist subjunctive, 2nd person singular, from ξετυλίγω / ξετυλίξω.
Here it means you unwrap in the sense of if you do the action once / as a complete act.
Breakdown:
- ξε- = a prefix often suggesting undoing or un-
- τυλίγω = wrap
- ξετυλίγω = unwrap
- ξετυλίξεις = you unwrap / you should unwrap / if you unwrap, depending on context
In this sentence, because it follows αν, it means if you unwrap.
Why is it θα πρέπει? Does that mean will have to or should?