Topic · from the English index · as printed
Perfect tense
See also Indicative mood
§359INFLECTION: PRELIMINARY REMARKS (355-380)Tenses.—There are seven tenses in the indicative: present, imperfect, future, aorist, perfect, pluperfect, and future perfect. The future perfect commonly has a passive force, but …
primary
§360INFLECTION: PRELIMINARY REMARKS (355-380)Primary and Secondary Tenses.—There are two classes of tenses in the indicative: (1) Primary (or Principal) tenses, the present and perfect expressing present time, the future and …
§1858STAGE OF ACTIONPrimary and Secondary Tenses.—The primary tenses refer to present and future time (present, future, perfect, and future perfect), the secondary or historical tenses refer to past t…
first and second
§361INFLECTION: PRELIMINARY REMARKS (355-380)Second Aorists, etc.—Some verbs have tenses called second aorists (active, middle, and passive), second perfects and pluperfects (active only), and second futures (passive). The me…
§554NOTE ON THE SECOND AORIST AND SECOND PERFECTa. The second aorist and the second perfect are usually formed only from primitive verbs (372). These tenses are formed by adding the personal endings (inclusive of the thematic or…
a principal participle
§§368–370STEMSThe Tense-stems.—The tenses fall into nine classes called tense-systems. Each tense-system has its own separate tense-stem. SYSTEMS. TENSES. I. Present, including present and imper…
reduplication
§439REDUPLICATIONReduplication is the doubling of the sound standing at the beginning of a word. It is used in the perfect, pluperfect, and future perfect tenses in all the moods, to denote complet…
Active, first
§382I. (A) VOWEL VERBS: NOT CONTRACTEDSYNOPSIS OF I. PRESENT SYSTEM II. FUTURE SYSTEM III. FIRST AORIST SYSTEM ACTIVE: Present and Imperfect Future 1 Aorist Indic. λῡ́ω I loose or am λῡ́σω I shall loose loosing ἔλῡον I…
§383I. (A) VOWEL VERBS:1. ACTIVE Present Imperfect Future INDICATIVE. S. 1. λῡ́ω ἔλῡον λῡ́σω 2. λῡ́εις ἔλῡες λῡ́σεις 3. λῡ́ει ἔλῡε λῡ́σει D. 2. λῡ́ετον ἐλῡ́ετον λῡ́σετον 3. λῡ́ετον ἐλῡέτην λῡ́σετον P. 1.…
§§689–700FIRST AND SECOND PERFECT AND PLUPERFECT ACTIVE (555, 561)All vowel and consonant verbs in -ω inflect the first perfect alike. Some verbs in -ω inflect the second perfect according to the ω-conjugation, others inflect it according to the …
§§762–766FIRST AND SECOND PERFECT (AND PLUPERFECT) ACTIVEIndicative.—The perfect of τίθημι is τέθηκα. A later form τέθεικα, not found on Attic inscriptions till after 200 B.C. and due to the analogy of εἷκα, still appears in some texts. …
system
§455TENSE-SUFFIXES, THEMATIC VOWEL, MOOD-SUFFIXESTense-Suffixes.—The tense-suffixes, which are added to the verb-stem to form the tense-stems, consist of the thematic vowel and certain other letters. No tense-suffixes are added t…
§§555–560V. FIRST (K) PERFECT SYSTEMThe stem of the first perfect is formed by adding -κα to the reduplicated verb-stem. λέ-λυ-κα I have loosed, ἐ-λε-λύκη I had loosed. a. The κ-perfect is later in origin than the se…
change of ε to α in
§479CHANGES IN THE VERB-STEMChange of ε to α.—In verb-stems containing λ, μ, ν, ρ, an ε is usually changed to α in the first perfect, perfect middle, and second passive systems. τρέπ-ω turn, τέτραμμαι, ἐτράπη…
periphrasis forms
§599PERIPHRASTIC FORMSPerfect.—For the simple perfect and pluperfect periphrastic forms are often used. a. For the perfect or pluperfect active indicative the forms of the perfect active participle and …
Active, second
§384I. (A) VOWEL VERBS:As examples of the second aorist and second perfect systems (368), the second aorist active and middle and the second perfect and pluperfect active of λείπω leave are here given. 2…
§§689–700FIRST AND SECOND PERFECT AND PLUPERFECT ACTIVE (555, 561)All vowel and consonant verbs in -ω inflect the first perfect alike. Some verbs in -ω inflect the second perfect according to the ω-conjugation, others inflect it according to the …
§§702–705SECOND PERFECTS OF THE μι-FORMA few ω-verbs form their second perfects in the dual and plural without α by adding the endings directly to the stem. Herein these forms agree with the second perfect of μι-verbs (…
§§762–766FIRST AND SECOND PERFECT (AND PLUPERFECT) ACTIVEIndicative.—The perfect of τίθημι is τέθηκα. A later form τέθεικα, not found on Attic inscriptions till after 200 B.C. and due to the analogy of εἷκα, still appears in some texts. …
system
§455TENSE-SUFFIXES, THEMATIC VOWEL, MOOD-SUFFIXESTense-Suffixes.—The tense-suffixes, which are added to the verb-stem to form the tense-stems, consist of the thematic vowel and certain other letters. No tense-suffixes are added t…
§§561–573VI. SECOND PERFECT SYSTEMThe stem of the second perfect is formed by adding α to the reduplicated verb-stem: γέ-γραφ-α I have written (γράφ-ω). Hom. has several forms unknown to Attic: δέδουπα (δουπ-έ-ω so…
change of ε to ο in
§478CHANGES IN THE VERB-STEMChange of ε to ο in the Second Perfect.—In the second perfect ε of the verb-stem is changed to ο. κλέπ-τ-ω steal κέκλοφα, (ἀπο-) κτείνω kill (κτεν-, 519) -έκτονα, λέγ-ω collect εἴλ…
change of ᾰ to η (ᾱ) in
§484CHANGES IN THE VERB-STEMη, α in the Second Perfect.—In the second perfect ᾰ of the verb-stem is lengthened to η (ᾱ): θάλλω (θαλ-) bloom, τέθηλα; φαίνω (φαν-) show, πέφηνα; μαίνω (μαν-) madden, μέμηνα; κρᾱ…
meaning
§568VI. SECOND PERFECT SYSTEMThe meaning of the second perfect may differ from that of the present; as ἐγρήγορα am awake from ἐγείρω wake up, σέσηρα grin from σαίρω sweep. The second perfect often has the forc…
aspirated
§§569–571VI. SECOND PERFECT SYSTEMAspirated Second Perfects.—In many stems a final π or β changes to φ: a final κ or γ changes to χ. (φ and χ here imitate verb-stems in φ and χ, as τρέφω, ὀρύττω.) κόπτω (κοπ-) cut …
Middle and passive
of consonant verbs
§382I. (A) VOWEL VERBS: NOT CONTRACTEDSYNOPSIS OF I. PRESENT SYSTEM II. FUTURE SYSTEM III. FIRST AORIST SYSTEM ACTIVE: Present and Imperfect Future 1 Aorist Indic. λῡ́ω I loose or am λῡ́σω I shall loose loosing ἔλῡον I…
§383I. (A) VOWEL VERBS:1. ACTIVE Present Imperfect Future INDICATIVE. S. 1. λῡ́ω ἔλῡον λῡ́σω 2. λῡ́εις ἔλῡες λῡ́σεις 3. λῡ́ει ἔλῡε λῡ́σει D. 2. λῡ́ετον ἐλῡ́ετον λῡ́σετον 3. λῡ́ετον ἐλῡέτην λῡ́σετον P. 1.…
§§403–411PERFECT AND PLUPERFECT MIDDLE (AND PASSIVE)In the perfect and pluperfect middle (and passive) of stems ending in a consonant certain euphonic changes (409) occur upon the addition of the personal endings.
§§706–716PERFECT AND PLUPERFECT MIDDLE AND PASSIVE (574)All vowel and consonant verbs in -ω inflect the perfect middle according to the μι-conjugation.
§767PERFECT MIDDLE (PASSIVE)τέθειμαι even in composition is rare and is unknown on Attic inscriptions. For the pass. perf. κεῖμαι (791) was used. Doric has τέθεμαι.
accent of infinitive and participle
§425 a, 425 bACCENTInfinitives, participles, and verbal adjectives are verbal nouns (358), and hence do not regularly show recessive accent. a. Infinitives.—The following infinitives accent the penul…
middle system
§455TENSE-SUFFIXES, THEMATIC VOWEL, MOOD-SUFFIXESTense-Suffixes.—The tense-suffixes, which are added to the verb-stem to form the tense-stems, consist of the thematic vowel and certain other letters. No tense-suffixes are added t…
§§574–584VII. PERFECT MIDDLE SYSTEMThe stem of the perfect and pluperfect middle and passive is the reduplicated verb-stem, to which the personal endings are directly attached. λέλυ-μαι I have loosed myself or have …
with and without inserted σ
§489CHANGES IN THE VERB-STEMInsertion of ς.—In the perfect middle and first aorist passive systems, verbs which retain a short final vowel and some others usually insert ς before the personal ending. Thus, τε…
periphrasis forms
§599PERIPHRASTIC FORMSPerfect.—For the simple perfect and pluperfect periphrastic forms are often used. a. For the perfect or pluperfect active indicative the forms of the perfect active participle and …
§§707–714PERFECT AND PLUPERFECT MIDDLE AND PASSIVE (574)Indicative.—The perfect middle is inflected by adding the primary middle endings directly to the tense-stem, herein agreeing with the μι-conjugation. The pluperfect adds the second…
passive, dative of agent with
§1488DATIVE OF INTERESTDative of the Agent.—With passive verbs (usually in the perfect and pluperfect) and regularly with verbal adjectives in -τός and -τέος, the person in whose interest an action is do…
§1489DATIVE OF INTERESTThe usual restriction of the dative to tenses of completed action seems to be due to the fact that the agent is represented as placed in the position of viewing an already complete…
passive, with dative, used instead of perfect active
§1741PASSIVE VOICEThe perfect passive in the third singular with the dative of the agent (1488) is often preferred to the perfect active of the first person. Thus πέπρᾱκταί μοι it has been done by m…
Force
§1851KIND OF TIMEOnly in the indicative do the tenses show time absolutely present, past, or future. a. Present time is denoted by 1. The Present: γράφω I write, am writing. 2. The Perfect: γέγραφα…
§1852STAGE OF ACTIONEvery form of the verb denotes the stage of the action. a. Continued action is denoted by the present stem: 1. Present: γράφω I am writing, πείθω I am persuading (trying to persuad…
§1945PERFECT INDICATIVEThe perfect denotes a completed action the effects of which still continue in the present: τὰ οἰκήματα ᾠκοδόμηται the rooms have been constructed (their construction is finished) X…
present for
§1886PRESENT INDICATIVEPresent for Perfect.—ἥκω I am come, I have arrived, οἴχομαι I am gone, have a perfect sense; as also ἔρχομαι, ἀφικνοῦμαι. Thus, Θεμιστοκλῆς ἥκω παρὰ σέ I Themistocles have come to …
aorist for
§1940AORIST INDICATIVEAorist for Perfect.—In Greek the aorist, which simply states a past occurrence, is often employed where English uses the perfect denoting a present condition resulting from a past …
epistolary
§1942AORIST INDICATIVEEpistolary Tenses.—The writer of a letter or book, the dedicator of an offering, may put himself in the position of the reader or beholder who views the action as past: μετ᾽ Ἀρταβά…
with present meaning
§1946PERFECT INDICATIVEPerfect with Present Meaning.—When the perfect marks the enduring result rather than the completed act, it may often be translated by the present. Thus, κέκλημαι (have received a n…
‘intensive,’
§1947PERFECT INDICATIVE‘Intensive’ Perfect.—Many perfects seem to denote an action rather than a state resulting from an action, and to be equivalent to strengthened presents. These are often called inte…
empiric
§1948PERFECT INDICATIVEEmpiric Perfect.—The perfect may set forth a general truth expressly based on a fact of experience: ἡ ἀταξίᾱ πολλοὺς ἤδη ἀπολώλεκεν lack of discipline ere now has been the ruin of …
of dated past action
§1949PERFECT INDICATIVEPerfect of Dated Past Action.—The perfect is sometimes used of a past action whose time is specifically stated: ὕβρισμαι τότε I was insulted on that occasion D. 21.7. This use appr…
for future perfect
§1950PERFECT INDICATIVEPerfect for Future Perfect.—The perfect may be used vividly for the future perfect to anticipate an action not yet done: κᾱ̓̀ν τοῦτο νῑκῶμεν, πάνθ᾽ ἡμῖν πεποίηται and if we conquer…
in subordinate clause
§1951PERFECT INDICATIVEIn subordinate clauses, the action of the perfect is usually (a) contemporaneous, but may be (b) antecedent to that of the main verb. The context alone decides in which sense the p…
in apodosis of vivid future form
§2326Third Form of Conditions: MORE VIVID FUTURE CONDITIONSThe apodosis of the more vivid future condition is the future indicative or any other form of the simple sentence that refers to future time. a. Future Indicative: ἐᾱ̀ν ζητῇς καλῶς…
in conditional relative sentence
§2573 cLESS USUAL FORMS OF CONDITIONAL RELATIVE SENTENCESThe optative in the relative clause with the present or future indicative or the imperative in the main clause (cp. 2359). With the present this occurs especially in general statem…
Subjunctive
§1860THE TENSES OUTSIDE OF THE INDICATIVESubjunctive.—The subjunctive mood as such refers to the future. The tenses do not refer to differences of time, and denote only the stage of the action (continuance, simple occurre…
Optative
§§1861–1863THE TENSES OUTSIDE OF THE INDICATIVEOptative (not in indirect discourse).—The reference is always to future time. The tenses do not refer to differences of time, and denote only the stage of the action. Present (cont…
§2331Fourth Form of Conditions: LESS VIVID FUTURE CONDITIONSThe present optative views an action as continuing (not completed); the aorist optative, as simply occurring (completed). (The future optative is never used except to represent a f…
Imperative
§1840 D.NEGATIVE (PROHIBITIONS)Prohibitions are expressed by μή with the present or aorist subjunctive in the first person plural; by μή with the present imperative or the aorist subjunctive in the second and th…
§1864THE TENSES OUTSIDE OF THE INDICATIVEImperative.—The imperative always implies future time. The tenses do not refer to differences of time, and denote only the stage of the action. a. Present (continuance): τοὺς γονεῖ…
Infinitive
§1849INFINITIVE AND PARTICIPLE WITH ἄνThe perfect infinitive with ἄν represents the pluperfect indicative with ἄν or the perfect optative with ἄν: οἶδ᾽ ὅτι (ἂν) φήσειεν πάντα ταῦθ᾽ ὑπὸ τῶν βαρβάρων ἂν ἡλωκέναι I know t…
§§1865–1867THE TENSES OUTSIDE OF THE INDICATIVEInfinitive (not in indirect discourse).—The tenses of the infinitive (without ἄν) not in indirect discourse have no time of themselves and express only the stage of the action; the…
with πρίν
§2453 cπρίν WITH THE INFINITIVEπρίν takes the infinitive in Attic especially when the principal clause is affirmative. The infinitive must be used, even with negative clauses, when πρίν must mean only before (an…
Participle
§§1872–1874THE TENSES OUTSIDE OF THE INDICATIVEParticiple (not in indirect discourse).—The participle, as a verbal adjective, is timeless. The tenses of the participle express only continuance, simple occurrence, and completion…
§1961PERIPHRASTIC TENSESWith εἰμί.—The present and perfect participle are freely used with the forms of εἰμί to form a periphrasis, especially when the participle has an adjectival character (1857): ἡγεῖ …
§2344MODIFICATIONS OF THE PROTASISSubstitutions for the Protasis.—For the protasis with εἰ there may be substituted a participle, often in the genitive absolute (2067, 2070), an adverb, a prepositional phrase, a re…