17.12 The FUTURE TENSE of most άω verbs is formed regularly, with one slight change. When the tense marker σ is added to a verb stem ending in –α, the α lengthens to η. Like έω verbs, most (not all!) άω verbs form their future active by adding –σω to the lengthened vowel, resulting in the ending –ήσω. Classical Greek, however, lengthens α to long α (not η) if the lengthened α is directly preceded by an ε, ι, or ρ. The future tense then conjugates regularly, using –ω personal and infinitive endings.
Note, for example, the PRINCIPAL PARTS of the following άω verbs.
- ἀγαπάω ἀγαπήσω, love
- δράω, δράσω, do
- ἐάω, ἐάσω, allow
- ἐρωτάω ἐρωτήσω, ask
- ζάω, ζήσω, live
- νικάω νικήσω, conquer, defeat
- ὁρμάω ὁρμήσω, hurry
- πειράω, πειράσω, try, attempt
- τελευτάω, τελευτήσω, finish, die
- τιμάω τιμήσω, honor
- τολμάω τολμήσω, dare