This text may be freely distributed, subject to the following restrictions:
Text provided by Perseus Digital Library. Original version available for viewing and download at http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/.
Used as the subject, predicate object, or independently in titles.
Subject: Serves as the subject of a finite verb. tau=ta oi( ai(retoi\ a)gge/llousi toi=s stratiw/tais
Predicate: The predicate object of verbs such as *kle/arxos fuga\s h)=n
Independent: Standing independently describing titles or names. prosei/lhfe th\n tw=n ponhrw=n koinh\n e)pwnumi/an sukofa/nths
1. limits the meaning of a noun
2. expresses the idea of source or separation.
These relationships can be expressed by the English prepositions
Possession: Denotes possession or ownership o( *ku/rou sto/los
Partitive: Denotes the general class to which a specific noun belongs. oi( a)/poroi tw=n politw=n
Quality: Denotes the quality of a person or thing. Used mainly as a predicate. oi( de/ tines th=s au)th=s gnw/mhs o)li/goi kate/fugon
Explanation: Denotes the specific class to which a general noun belongs. a)/ellai pantoi/wn a)ne/mwn
Material: Denotes the composition or contents of a noun. e(cako/sia ta/lanta fo/rou
Measure: Denotes the extent in space or time of a noun. o)ktw\ stadi/wn tei=xos
Subjective: Denotes the subject of a verbal adjective expressed by a noun, usually with an active sense. tw=n barba/rwn fo/bos
Objective: Denotes the object of a verbal action expressed by a noun, usually with a passive sense. fo/bos tw=n *ei(lw/twn
Price or Value: Denotes the price or value of an object xili/wn draxmw=n di/khn feu/gw
With Certain Verbs: The genitive is used as the object verbs that denote sharing, touching, beginning, aiming at, obtaining, smelling, remembering, hearing, perceiving, filing, ruling, differing, commanding, etc. th=s qala/tths e)kra/tei
Charge: Denotes the crime with verbs of charging, summoning, and convicting. e)me\ o( *me/lhtos a)sebei/as e)gra/yato
Separation: The genitive expresses the ideas of separation with verbs denoting to cease, be apart from, want, lack, etc. lh/gein tw=n po/nwn
Comparison: Denotes the person or thing being compared when used with comparative adjectives, comparative adverbs or verbs expressing the idea of comparison. a)/rxwn a)gaqo\s ou)de\n diafe/rei patro\s a)gaqou=
Cause: The genitive expresses cause with verbs denoting wonder, admiration, anger, etc. to\n ce/non di/kaion ai)ne/sai proqumi/as
Source: The genitive expresses the idea of source. pi/qwn h)fu/sseto oi)=nos
Time or Place within which: The genitive denotes the time or place within which an event happens. w)/|xeto th=s nukto/s
Agency: The genitive with perierrei=to d' au(/th u(po\ tou= *ma/ska ku/klw|
Purpose: The genitive articular infinitive can express purpose. tou= mh\ ta\ di/kaia poiei=n
1. Used as the indirect object.
2. Expresses how or with what something is done.
3. Expresses relationships of place where and time when.
These relationships can be expressed by the English prepositions
Indirect Object: Used as the indirect object of a verb. *ku=ros di/dwsin au)tw=| e(\c mhnw=n misqo/n
Possessor: Denotes possession with verbs such as a)/llois me\n xrh/mata/ e)sti, h(mi=n de\ cu/mmaxoi a)gaqoi/
Advantage or Disadvantage: Describes the person or thing for (or against) whom an action is done. a)/llw| o( toiou=tos ploutei=, kai\ ou)x e(autw=|
Ethical: A dative personal pronoun denotes the interest of the speaker or the one being spoken to in the action of a statement. toiou=to u(mi=n e)sti h( turanni/s
Agent: Denotes agency with either verbal adjectives ending in tosau=ta/ moi ei)rh/sqw
Attendant Circumstance: Denotes the manner in which an action takes place. pollh=| boh=| prose/keinto
Respect: Denotes the respect or attendant circumstance in which an action is true. a)sqenh\s tw=| sw/mati
Means: Denotes the means with which something is done. e)zhmi/wsan xrh/masin
Degree of Difference: Denotes the degree of difference with words containing an idea of comparison. ou) pollai=s h(me/rais u(/steron h)=lqen
Accompaniment: Denotes accompaniment, frequently with the preposition a)kolouqei=n tw=| h(goume/nw|
Time When: Denotes the point of time when an action takes place. tau/thn me\n th\n h(me/ran au)tou= e)/meinan, th=| de\ u(sterai/a| ktl
Place Where: Denotes the place where an action takes place. Most common in poetry. gh=| e)/keito
With compound verbs: The dative is used as the direct object of many verbs compounded with the prepositions e)lpi/das e)mpoiei=n a)nqrw/pois
Used as the direct object of a verb, or to communicate relationships of motion, space, or time.
Direct Object: Used as the direct object of a transitive verb. to\n a)/ndra o(rw=
Cognate: Repeats the sense of the verb in the form of a verbal noun. th\n e)n *salami=ni naumaxi/an naumaxh/santes
Subject of the Infinitive: Used as the subject of an infinitive. to\n ga\r kalo\n ka)gaqo\n a)/ndra eu)dai/mona ei)=nai/ fhmi
Specification or Respect: Limits the scope of a verb or an adjective. tuflo\s ta/ t' w)=ta to/n te nou=n ta/ t' o)/mmat' ei)=
Extent of Space: Describes the space over which an action takes place. a)/gein (stratia\n) stena\s o(dou/s
Extent of Time: Describes the length of time of an action. cummaxi/an e)poih/santo e(kato\n e)/th
End of Motion: Describes the motion towards something with prepositions. In poetry, the preposition may be omitted. pe/myome/n nin *(ella/da
Adverbial: The accusative may serve as an adverb. e)/plee pro/fasin e)p' *(ellhspo/ntou
Oaths: Used with verbs of swearing and the particles o)mnu/w u(mi=n qeou\s pa/ntas kai\ pa/sas
Double Accusative: Many verbs take two accusatives, one of the person affected, the other of the thing. o( po/lemos a)ei/mnhston paidei/an au)tou\s e)pai/deuse
Predicate Accusative: Verbs of naming, appointing, considering take a second accusative as a predicate of the direct object. strathgo\n au)to\n a)pe/deice
Used for exclamations and emphatic address.
Exclamations: The vocative is used in exclamations w)= *zeu= kai\ qeoi/
Emphatic address: The vocative is used for emphatic addresses. a)kou/eis
*ai)sxi/nh;
The present tense denotes an action in the present time with continuing aspect.
Specific Present: The present denotes an action in progress at the present time. a)lhqh= le/gw
Gnomic Present: The present can denote a general truth. a)/gei de\ pro\s fw=s th\n a)lh/qeian xro/nos
Historical Present: The present may be used in narrative to present a more vivid picture of an action. o( de\ *qemistoklh=s
Present Simple Conditions: The present or perfect indicative stands in the protasis of present simple conditions. The present or perfect indicative stands in the apodosis. ei) ou)=n bou/lesqe, e)/cestin u(mi=n h(ma=s labei=n cumma/xous
Present General Conditions: The subjunctive with a)dikou=nta, h)\n la/bh|s, kola/zeis;
The perfect denotes present time and completed aspect.
Specific Perfect: The perfect denotes a completed action in the present time. ta\s po/leis au)tw=n parh/|rhtai
Gnomic Perfect: The perfect can denote a general truth. h( a)taci/a pollou\s h)/dh a)polw/leken
Present Simple Conditions: The present or perfect indicative stands in the protasis of present simple conditions. The present or perfect indicative stands in the apodosis. ei) ou)=n bou/lesqe, e)/cestin u(mi=n h(ma=s labei=n cumma/xous
The pluperfect expresses past time and completed aspect.
Specific Pluperfect: The pluperfect expresses a completed action in past time. Past Simple Conditions: The imperfect, aorist, or pluperfect indicative stands in the protasis and apodosis of past simple conditions. ei)/ te/ ti a)/llo . . . e)ge/neto e)piki/ndunon toi=s *(/ellhsi, pa/ntwn . . . mete/sxomen
The imperfect expresses past time and continuing aspect.
Specific Imperfect: The imperfect denotes an action that is continuing in a past time or is still incomplete in the present. die/fqeiran *)aqhnai/wn pi/nte kai\ ei)/kosi oi(\ cunepoliorkou=nto
Conative Imperfect: The imperfect can denote an action that was attempted in a past time. *qhbai=oi katedoulou=nt' au)tou/s
Iterative Imperfect: The imperfect can denote a repeated action in past time when accompanied by e)pequ/mei a)/n tis e)/ti plei/w au)tou= a)kou/ein
Present Contrafactual Conditions: The imperfect indicative stands in the protasis of present contrafactual conditions. The imperfect indicative with ei) ga\r e)kh/dou, h(=kes a)\n fe/rwn plh/rh to\n misqo\n
Past Contrafactual Condition: The aorist or imperfect indicative stands in the protasis of past contrafactual conditions. The aorist or imperfect indicative with ou)k a)\n e)poi/hsen *)agasi/as tau=ta, ei) mh\ e)gw\ au)to\n e)ke/leusa
Past Simple Conditions: The imperfect, aorist, or pluperfect indicative stands in the protasis and apodosis of past simple conditions. ei)/ te/ ti a)/llo . . . e)ge/neto e)piki/ndunon toi=s *(/ellhsi, pa/ntwn . . . mete/sxomen
Past General Conditions: The optative with ei) de/ tis kai\ a)ntei/poi, eu)qu\s . . . e)teqnh/kei
The aorist expresses past time and simple aspect.
Specific Aorist: The aorist denotes a simple action in the past. e)ni/khsan oi( *kerkurai=oi kai\ nau=s pe/nte kai\ de/ka die/fqeiran
Gnomic Aorist: The aorist can express a general truth and, in this case, should be translated as a present. ka/llos me\n ga\r h)\ xro/nos a)nh/lwsen h)\ no/sos e)ma/rane
Iterative Aorist: The aorist can indicate repeated action in past time when accompanied by Past Contrafactual Condition: The aorist or imperfect indicative stands in the protasis of past contrafactual conditions. The aorist or imperfect indicative with ou)k a)\n e)poi/hsen *)agasi/as tau=ta, ei) mh\ e)gw\ au)to\n e)ke/leusa
Past Simple Conditions: The imperfect, aorist, or pluperfect indicative stands in the protasis and apodosis of past simple conditions. ei)/ te/ ti a)/llo . . . e)ge/neto e)piki/ndunon toi=s *(/ellhsi, pa/ntwn . . . mete/sxomen
The future expresses future time with either simple or continuing aspect.
Specific Future: The future denotes an action that will take place at a future time. lh/yetai misqo\n ta/lanton
Jussive Future: The future can denote a command, much like the imperative. w(\s ou)=n poih/sete
Gnomic Future: The future can express a general truth and, in this case, should be translated as a present. a)nh\r e)pieikh\s ui(o\n a)pole/sas r(a=|sta
Future More Vivid Conditions: The subjunctive with ti/ e)/stai toi=s stratiw/tais, e)a\n au)tw=| tau=ta xari/swntai
Future Most Vivid Conditions: The future indicative stands in the protasis and apodosis of future most vivid conditions. a)poktenei=s ga/r, ei)/ me gh=s e)/cw balei=s
The future perfect expresses future time and completed aspect.
Specific Future Perfect: The future perfect denotes a completed action in some future time. h( qu/ra keklh/setai
The active voice denotes that the subject is the agent of an action.
Transitive: A transitive verb expresses an immediate impact on its object. The object is defined the accusative. Intransitive: An intransitive verb has an indirect impact on an object. The object can be 1) the subject, 2) defined by an oblique case, or 3) defined by a prepositional phrase.
The middle voice denotes that the subject is both an agent of an action and somehow concerned with the action.
Direct Reflexive: A direct reflexive middle denotes the idea of dei/sas mh/ e)f' a(rpagh\n tra/poito to\ stra/teuma
Indirect Reflexive: An indirect reflexive middle denotes the idea of me/nein te au)to\n e)ke/leue kai\ su/ndeipnon e)poih/sato
The passive voice denotes that the subject is acted upon.
The indicative mood expresses simple statements or questions of fact.
Specific Indicative: The Indicative mood is used to express a fact or to ask a question anticipating a fact. e)ntau=q' e)/meinen h(me/ras pe/nte
In Purpose or Final Clauses: The future indicative can be used in place of the subjunctive or optative in purpose clauses (Most common in poetry). ou)de\ di' e(\n a)/llo tre/fontai h)\ o(/pws maxou=ntai
In Object Clauses of Effort: The future indicative can be used in object clauses introduced by e)/prasson o(/pws tis boh/qeia h(/cei
In Fear Clauses: The future indicative can sometimes be used in place of the subjunctive in object clauses introduced by de/doika o(/pws mh\ . . . a)na/gkh genh/setai
In Causal Clauses: The indicative is used in causal clauses expressing a factual cause after both primary and secondary tenses. The negative is e)pei\ de\ u(mei=s ou) bou/lesqe sumporeu/esqai, a)na/gkh dh/ moi h)\ u(ma=s prodo/nta th=| *ku/rou fili/a| xrh=sqai ktl.
In Consecutive or Result Clauses: A result clause introduced by ou(/tw dia/keimai u(f' u(mw=n w(ste ou)de\ dei=pnon e)/xw e)n th=| e)mautou= xw/ra|
In Temporal Clauses: The indicative is used in temporal clauses to denote a factual occurrence on a definite occasion in the present or the past. The negative is o(/te tau=ta h)=n, sxedo\n me/sai h)=san nu/ktes
In Indirect Discourse: The indicative is used in indirect discourse introduced by le/gei d' w(s u(bristh/s ei)mi
Present Simple Conditions: The present or perfect indicative stands in the protasis of present simple conditions. The present or perfect indicative stands in the apodosis. ei) ou)=n bou/lesqe, e)/cestin u(mi=n h(ma=s labei=n cumma/xous
Present Contrafactual Conditions: The imperfect indicative stands in the protasis of present contrafactual conditions. The imperfect indicative with ei) ga\r e)kh/dou, h(=kes a)\n fe/rwn plh/rh to\n misqo\n
Present General Conditions: The subjunctive with a)dikou=nta, h)\n la/bh|s, kola/zeis;
Past Simple Conditions: The imperfect, aorist, or pluperfect indicative stands in the protasis and apodosis of past simple conditions. ei)/ te/ ti a)/llo . . . e)ge/neto e)piki/ndunon toi=s *(/ellhsi, pa/ntwn . . . mete/sxomen
Past Contrafactual Conditions: The aorist or imperfect indicative stands in the protasis of past contrafactual conditions. The aorist or imperfect indicative with ou)k a)\n e)poi/hsen *)agasi/as tau=ta, ei) mh\ e)gw\ au)to\n e)ke/leusa
Past General Conditions: The optative with ei) de/ tis kai\ a)ntei/poi, eu)qu\s . . . e)teqnh/kei
Future More Vivid Conditions: The subjunctive with ti/ e)/stai toi=s stratiw/tais, e)a\n au)tw=| tau=ta xari/swntai
Future Most Vivid Conditions: The future indicative stands in the protasis and apodosis of future most vivid conditions. a)poktenei=s ga/r, ei)/ me gh=s e)/cw balei=s
The meaning of the subjunctive mood varies according to its context.
Hortatory: The subjunctive without a)/ge skopw=men
Prohibitive: The second or third person aorist subjunctive without mhde\n a)qumh/shte
Deliberative: The first person subjunctive is used when a speaker questions what she or he should do. The negative is ti/ dra/sw; poi= fu/gw;
Hesitating Assertion: The subjunctive with mh\ a)groiko/teron h)=| to\ a)lhqe\s ei)pei=n
In Purpose or Final Clauses: The subjunctive can be used in purpose clauses following verbs in primary sequence. kata/mene i(/na kai\ peri\ sou= bouleusw/meqa
In Object Clauses of Effort: The subjunctive can occasionally be used in object clauses introduced by e)/prassen . . . o(/pws po/lemos ge/nhtai
In Fear Clauses: The subjunctive is used in object clauses introduced by de/doika mh\ . . . e)pilaqw/meqa th=s oi)/kade o(dou=
In Temporal Clauses: The subjunctive is used with e)peida\n a(/pant' a)kou/shte, kri/nate
Present General Conditions: The subjunctive with a)dikou=nta, h)\n la/bh|s, kola/zeis;
Future More Vivid Conditions: The subjunctive with ti/ e)/stai toi=s stratiw/tais, e)a\n au)tw=| tau=ta xari/swntai
The meaning of the optative mood varies according to its context.
Optative of Wish: The optative without w)= pai=, ge/noio patro\s eu)tuxe/steros
Potential Optative: The optative with gnoi/hs d' a)\n o(/ti tou=q' ou(/tws e)/xei
Imperative Optative: The optative without *xeiri/sofos h(goi=to
In Purpose or Final Clauses: The optative can be used in purpose clauses following verbs in secondary sequence. kai\ a(/ma tau=t' ei)pw\n a)ne/sth w(s mh\ me/lloito a)lla\ perai/noito ta\ de/onta
In Object Clauses of Effort: The optative with e)peme/leto o(/pws mh/te a)/sitoi mh/te a)/potoi/ pote e)/sointo
In Fear Clauses: The optative is used in object clauses introduced by e)/deisan oi( (/ *ellhnes mh\ prosa/goien pro\s to\ ke/ras kai\ . . . au)tou\s katako/yeian
In Causal Clauses: Causal clauses expressing a reported cause take the optative after a secondary tense. (oi( *)aqhnai=oi) to\n *perikle/a e)ka/kizon o(/ti strathgo\s w)\n ou)k e)peca/goi
In Temporal Clauses: The optative is used without de/oito/ g' a)\n au)tou= me/nein, e(/ws a)pe/lqois
In Indirect Discourse: The optative can be used in indirect discourse introduced by e)/gnwsan o(/ti keno\s o( fo/bos ei)/h
Past General Conditions: The optative with ei) de/ tis kai\ a)ntei/poi, eu)qu\s . . . e)teqnh/kei
Future Less Vivid Conditions: The optative with deina\ a)\n ei)/hn ei)rgasme/nos, . . . ei) li/poimi th\n ta/cin
The imperative mood is used to express commands and prohibitions.
Commands: The imperative is used to express commands. a)/ge dh\ a)kou/sate
Prohibitions: The imperative with mh\ mainw/meqa mhd' ai)sxrw=s a)polw/meqa
The infinitive is a verbal noun. It is verbal in that it is formed from a verbal stem, modified by adverbs, and admits the constructions of a finite verb. It is a noun in that it can be the subject or object of a verb, and can exhibit case syntax.
Subject: The infinitive can serve as the subject of a verb, particularly impersonal verbs such as sumfe/rei au)toi=s fi/lous ei)=nai
Object: The infinitive can serve as the object of verbs that imply a supplementary action. pai/deusis kalh\ dida/skei xrh=sqai no/mois
Complementary: The infinitive can complement adjectives, adverbs, and substantives that imply ability or suitability. deino\s le/gein, kako\s biw=nai
Purpose: The infinitive can express purpose, particularly after verbs implying choosing or giving. pare/xw e)mauto\n e)rwta=n
In Consecutive/Result Clauses: A result clause introduced by e)/xw trih/\reis w(/ste e(lei=n to\ e)kei/nwn ploi=on
Absolute: The infinitive can be used absolutely in parenthetical phrases. a)lhqe/s ge w(s e)/pos ei)pei=n ou)de\n ei)rh/kasin
Imperative: The infinitive can be used to express a command. a)kou/ete lew/|: kata\ ta\ pa/tria tou\s xo/as pi/nein
Exclamatory: The infinitive can be used absolutely in exclamations. e)me\ paqei=n ta/de
Wishes: The infinitive can be used in place of an optative of wish. w)= *zeu=, e)kgene/sqai moi *)aqhnai/ous tei/sasqai
In Indirect Discourse: The infinitive can be used in to represent a finite verb in indirect discourse after verbs expressing the idea of saying, believing, and thinking. e)/fh h)\ a)/cein *lakedaimoni/ous h)\ au)tou= a)poktenei=n
Articular Infinitive: The infinitive can be used with the article as if it were a noun. a)ni/h kai\ to\ fula/ssein
Participles are verbal adjectives. Participles are like adjectives in that:
Participles are like verbs in that:
Attributive: A participle with an article in the attributive position functions as an adjective. o( e)festhkw\s ki/ndunos th=| po/lei
Circumstantial: A participle not in the attributive position can describe an accompanying circumstance relating to the action of the sentence. oi a)/nqrwpoi lipo/ntes th\n o(do\n feu/gontes o)li/goi a)pe/qnh|skon
Circumstantial - Temporal: A circumstantial participle can denote a temporal relationship. a)kou/sasi toi=s strathgoi=s tau=ta e)/doce to\ stra/teuma sunagagei=n
Circumstantial - Manner: A circumstantial participle can denote the manner of an action. parh/launon tetagme/noi
Circumstantial - Means: A circumstantial participle can denote the means of an action. lh|zo/menoi cw=si
Circumstantial - Cause: A circumstantial participle can denote the cause of an action. A causal participle accompanied by the particles oi( ga\r *ko/lxoi, a(/te e)kpeptwko/tes tw=n oi)kiw=n, polloi\ h)=san a(qro/oi
e)qanatw/qh u(po\ tw=n e)n *spa/rth| telw=n w(s a)peiqw=n
Circumstantial - Purpose: The future participle accompanied by prope/myantes kh/ruka po/lemon proerou=nta
Circumstantial - Concession: A circumstantial participle can have concessive force. polloi\ ga\r o)/ntes eu)genei=s ei)sin kakoi/
Circumstantial - Condition: A circumstantial participle can have conditional force. The negative of circumstantial participles is su\ de\ klu/wn ei)/sei ta/xa
Genitive Absolute: A circumstantial participle in the genitive agreeing with a noun or a pronoun that is not related to the construction of the main sentence is a genitive absolute. A genitive absolute can express the same relationships as other circumstantial participles. tou=to de\ le/gontos au)tou= pta/rnutai/ tis
Accusative Absolute: A circumstantial participle of an impersonal verb in the accusative agreeing with a noun or a pronoun not related to the construction of the main sentence is an accusative absolute. An accusative absolute can express the same relationships as other circumstantial participles. do/can de\ tau=ta e)kh/rucan ou(/tw poiei=n
Supplementary Participle: The supplementary participle completes the meaning of verbs that denote beginning and ceasing and the verbs a)/rista tugxa/nousi pra/cantes
In Indirect Discourse: The participle can be used to represent a finite verb in indirect discourse after verbs expressing the idea of knowing, learning, remembering, or showing (me/mnhmai *kriti/a| tw=|de cuno/nta se