The sequence of tenses

Greek keeps the original tense

Unlike English, there is no mechanical backshift: reported “Θα έρθω” gives Είπε ότι θα έρθει (he said he will/would come). Reported present stays present: Είπε ότι είναι κουρασμένος. You report the words as they were thought.

• Είπε ότι θα έρθει.He said he will come.
• Είπε ότι είναι κουρασμένη.She said she is tired.
• Μου είπε ότι δουλεύει ακόμη στην Αθήνα.He told me he still works in Athens.

ότι, πως, που — introducing the clause

ότι and πως are interchangeable (πως slightly more colloquial). After emotion verbs, που: Χαίρομαι που ήρθες (I’m glad you came). After verbs of will, always να: Θέλω να έρθεις.

• Νομίζω ότι έχεις δίκιο.I think you’re right.
• Μου είπε πως δεν φταίει.He told me it isn’t his fault.
• Χαίρομαι που ήρθες.I’m glad you came.
• Θέλω να έρθεις.I want you to come.

Reported questions and commands

Yes/no question → αν: Ρώτησε αν έρχομαι (he asked if I’m coming). Open question keeps its question word: Ρώτησε πού μένω. Command → να: “Έλα!” becomes Μου είπε να έρθω.

• Ρώτησε αν έρχομαι.He asked if I’m coming.
• Ρώτησε πού μένω.He asked where I live.
• Μου είπε να έρθω.He told me to come.

Your turn

Choose the correct form.