INTRODUCTION TO GREEK GRAMMAR
Lesson 2
Introduction to Verbs
1. Classes of Verbs:
The most common type of Greek verb is the omega verb. This type of verb ends with the letter omega
(w) in the basic lexical form. Example: le>gw. The other type of verb will end with -mi in the lexical form.
Example: di>dwmi. The omega verb will be studied first since it is the most common type.
2. Tense, Mode, and Voice:
A Greek verb has tense, mode, and voice. For example, lu>w (I am loosing; I loose) is a present tense,
indicative mode, and active voice. Each of these terms must be understood before one can grasp the verb
system.
Tense has to do with the kind of action. In other words, is the action continuing, is it over, or does it
have continuing results? Tense is designated by adding the appropriate suffixes or prefixes to the stem.
Mode refers to the manner of affirmation involved in the verb. Is the action perceived as a fact or as a
possibility? The indicative, which will be studied first, assumes the action to be a fact.
Voice tells how the subject is related to the action described by the verb. In Greek there are three voices:
active, middle (sometimes called reflexive), and passive.
3. Conjugation
The conjugation of a verb involves the process of adding to the verb stem the endings which indicate
person (1st, 2nd, 3rd), number (singular or plural), and voice (active, middle, or passive).
PRESENT INDICATIVE ACTIVE
Singular
Plural
I loose,
We loose
1. lu>w
1. lu>omen
I am loosing
We are loosing
You loose,
You loose
2. lu>eiv
2. lu>ete
You are loosing
You are loosing
(He, she, it) looses
They loose
3. lu>ei
3. lu>ousi(n)
(He, she, it) is loosing
They are loosing
The present active infinitive: lu>ein - to loose
Notice that the 3rd person plural may be written lu>ousi or lu>ousin. The final n is called "moveable n"
and is used regularly by most modern texts. Note also that the infinitive has only tense and voice, and the fact
that it is an infinitive.
4. Formation of the w Verb:
The verb lu>w is made up of a stem lu- which remains unchanged in all the forms. The stem is followed
by a connecting vowel: o before a m or n and an e before other letters.
This vowel is often called the "thematic vowel." The stem and connecting vowel are followed by the personal
endings. In the first person singular form the thematic vowel and the personal ending are combined in the letter
w.
The present stem of an omega verb can be found by removing the w at the end of the word. Any omega
verb may be conjugated by writing the present stem and adding the thematic vowel and the personal endings. It
is probably best to learn the thematic vowel with the endings at first. Example: -w, -eiv, -ei, -omen, -ete, ousin.
The pronouns used in the model translations are inherent in these verb endings which tell the person and
number. The "you" for the 2nd person singular and plural is the same English word but the reader or translator
must note the difference in meaning.
5. Translation of the Present Tense:
The Greek language makes no distinction between "I loose" and "I am loosing." The first form is called
the "present indefinite" since it may refer to action in progress, action customarily engaged in, or action
understood as taking place at the present instant; the second form is called the "present progressive" since it
refers to action in progress in present time. Both meanings are expressed by lu>w as indicated in the example
above. The same form could be translated into English as "I do loose" when the sense is an emphatic present.
Greek verbs generally will not have an expressed subject for either the first or second person singular or
plural. If a subject is expressed it will simply be "I, you, we, you" which adds some emphasis to the inherent
pronoun. With the third person singular and plural, an expressed subject is common. Example: lu>ei = he
looses; jIhsou~v lu>ei = Jesus looses.
6. Vocabulary:
a]gw
Ι lead, bring, go
ajkou>w
I hear
ba>llw
I throw, cast
ble>pw
I see, look at
ginw>skw
I know
gra>fw
I write
dida>skw
I teach
euJri>skw
e]cw
qe>lw
lamba>nw
le>gw
pe>mpw
pisteu>w
I find
I have, get, hold
I wish, will
I take, receive
I say, speak, tell
Ι send
I believe