Újgörög Nyelvtan És Gyakorlatok

Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou
5. The cases /
In a higly inflected language as Greek the role of the words in the sentence is not indicated by their position but
by their cases.
Cases are the different forms Greek words as articles, nouns, adjectives, pronouns, participles can have. The
form of the words changes at the ending, the first part of the words, the so-called stem, does not change.
Modern Greek has four cases:
st
1 : the nominative
nd
2 : the genitive
rd
th
3 : the accusative (in ancient Greek 4 )
th
th
4 : the vocative (case of direct address, in ancient Greek 5 )
The nominative
The nominative indicates:
1. the subject in the sentence
.
2.
Helen buys apples.
the predicate in the sentence as well, when linking verbs are used:
.
Nikos is a good pupil.
The genitive
The genitive indicates:
1. Possesion
.
.
Nikos car.
Marias bicycle.
2.
The subject (The genitive with nouns related to verbs may indicate the subject of the action. If these
nouns convert to verbs, the word in genitive will become the subject of the sentence.)
. . The victory of the Spartans. (The Spartans won.)
3.
The object (The genitive with nouns related to verbs may indicate the direct object of the action. If
these nouns convert to verbs, the word in genitive will become the direct object of the sentence.)
. . They are the guardians of the country. (They guard
the country)
4.
The indirect object in the sentence, mostly persons or personal pronouns (or with certain verbs the
direct object, e.g. (phone), (look like))
. Grandmother gives Maria a ring.
.
I give him a book.
.
I offer her coffee.
.
I phoned her.
.
He looks like his father.
5.
Age, date, time

23 ( ) .
15 .
.
I am 23 years old.
My birthday is on the 15th of March.
In the middle of the week.
Cause
.
The sorrow of the farewell.
Purpose, use
.
.
Leisure trip.
Climbing shoes.
6.
7.
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microfilm or any other means without written permission from the author Konstantinos Athanasiou.

8.
9.
Characteristic
.
A literate person.
Quantity
. He/She bought a four kilos turkey.
.
He/She has a three months leave.
10. Origin
.
Smoked cheese from Metsovo.
11. Familial relationship

.
Marias brother.
12. Place
.
The battle of Marathon.
The accusative
The accusative
1. indicates the direct object in the sentence:
.
Nikos knows Kosta.
.
Kostas knows Helen.
2.
is used after a preposition:

with

from

for

to

to
3.
may indicate time:

; When wil you go to Maria?
.
On Monday.
The vocative
The vocative is used to address somebody:
!
!
!
!
!
!

6. The article /
The Greek article is a little declinable word which has three genders: masculine, feminine and neuter.
There is a definite and an indefinite article which both agree in gender, number and case with the noun
they refer to. The accusative singular masculine and feminine of the definite article and the accusative
masculine of the indefinite article are used with the letter () when the following word starts with a
vowel or the (combination) consonants , , , , , , , .
6.1 The definite article /
Singular
Masculine
Case
nom
gen
acc
()
voc
-
Feminine
()
-
Neuter
Plural
Masculine
Feminine
Neuter
Case
nom
gen
acc
voc
The definite article is used:
- when the speaker refers to a person, animal or object which is known or has been previously
introduced, for example:
. I am reading the book you gave me.
- when the speaker speaks generally and refers to a group of similar things or a whole species,
for example:
. The lion is the king of the animals.
Notice that proper nouns in Greek are always preceded by a definite article.
6.2 The indefinite article /
Singular
Masculine
Feminine
Neuter
Case
nom
gen
acc
()
voc
The indefinite article is used when the speaker refers to a person, animal or object which is indefinite
and unknown or is introduced for the first time, for example: . I saw a
bear on the mountain.
Notice that the indefinite article has no plural form, indefinite pronouns can be used instead.

7. Nouns /
Nouns in Greek are declinable words and may be classified as masculine, feminine or neuter. Although the
determination of the grammatical gender of the Greek words is often arbitrary, the following rules may be
applied with the necessary caution: Names of male persons and male animals are masculine. Names of female
persons and female animals are feminine. Names of objects are usually neuter. However, notice that in some
cases names of persons and animals may be neuter as well and that names of visible and not-visible objects
may also be either masculine or feminine. Nouns usually belong to one gender but in some cases to two,
masculine and feminine, when for example they refer to professions: , (the lawyer).
Gender may be determined by the article preceding the nouns or by the ending of the nouns in the nominative
singular. For example all masculine nouns end in - (however notice that nouns ending in - are not per
definition masculine, for example: (the street) is feminine, (the state) is neuter), most
feminine nouns end in -, -, most neuter nouns in -, -.
Declension
Nouns in principle decline in all four cases in the singular and plural number as well. They usually retain the
same number of syllables in the plural as in the singular number. However, there are nouns whose plural is
formed with an additional syllable. These nouns are called imparisyllables . The stress mark
usually remains in the same position as in the nominative singular.
Nouns imported from other languages do not decline at all, for example: , , .
Greek nouns of each gender can be divided into groups according to their endings. Nouns of a certain group
with the same ending decline the same way.
The following tables exemplify the groups of the three genders. One noun of every group is being
representatively declined and as said above other nouns belonging to the same group decline the same way.
Any details and exceptions with the stress mark and the endings will be given under the tables.
7.1 Masculine nouns
-, -
(the contest, game)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
1. Two-syllable nouns ending in - and those ending in - and - bear the stress mark on the last
syllable in the genitive plural, for example: (the man),
(the businessman), (the tourist)
2. Nouns ending in -, which are stressed on the third-to-last (third from the end) syllable in the
nominative singular, bear the stress mark on the second-to-last (second from the end) syllable in the
genitive plural, for example: (the neighbor)
-, -
(the pupil)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
Nouns ending in -, which are stressed on the second-to-last syllable in the nominative singular, bear the
stress mark on the last syllable in the genitive plural, for example: (the sailor)

-, -
(the street, the way)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
1. Proper names, which are stressed on the second-to-last syllable in the nominative singular as ,
, , etc, form the vocative with -, for example: , , ,
etc. Notice that proper name can either have - or -: , .
2. Three-syllable nouns ending in -, which are stressed on the third-to-last syllable in the nominative
singular, usually bear the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable in the genitive singular and the
genitive and accusative plural, for example: , ,
. However, this rule does not apply to nouns with more than three syllables, for example:
, , .
-, - (impar.)
(the priest)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
The nouns of this group bear the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable in all cases plurale. Attention:
-
-, - (impar.)
(de greengrocer)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
The nouns of this group bear the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable in all cases plural.
-, - / -, -
(the coffie)
(impar.)
(the grandfather)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
The nouns of this group bear the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable in all cases plural.
7.1.1. Masculine nouns with an exceptional declension

-, -
(the parent)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
Attention: / ( genitive singular feminine: , / /
, , / )

Attention: There are more masculine nouns with an exceptional declension. See some of them below:
( , / , , )
( , / , , )
( , / , , )
( , / (plural in formal language) , , )
( , / , , )
( , / , , )
( , / , , )
( , / no plural)
/ ( / genitive singular feminine: , / / ,
, / )
Notice that some masculine nouns form the plural in a neuter gender form. Some others form the plural in a
masculine gender form and in a neuter gender form as well. In some cases there is a difference in meaning
between the masculine and the neuter gender form. See some examples below:
(no genitive plural)
(plural is seldom used)
- /
- /
- / (the tobacoo plant)
- /
- /

7.2 Feminine nouns

-, -
(the see)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
The nouns of this group bear the stress mark on the last syllable in the genitive plural, for example:
(the see), (the time), (the hart).
-, -
(the soul)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
The nouns of this group bear the stress mark on the last syllable in the genitive plural, for example:
(the victory). However, a large number of nouns ending in -, which are stressed on the second-to-last
syllable in the nominative singular, do not form the genitive plural. All nouns ending in -, which are stressed
on the third-to-last syllable in the nominative singular, do not form the genitive plural, for example: no genitive plural
-, - archaic declension
(the position)
(, , -, -, -)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen
/

acc

voc
-
-
Archaic nouns ending in -, which are stressed on the third-to-last syllable in the nominative singular, bear the
stress mark on the second-to-last syllable in all cases plural but the genitive case. The genitive plural bears the
stress mark on the third-to-last syllable, for example: , , , (the power)
-, - archaic declension
(the street)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
- (seldom)
- (seldom)
Archaic nouns ending in -, which are stressed on the third-to-last syllable in the nominative singular, bear the
stress mark on the second-to-last syllable in the genitive singular and the genitive and accusative plural, for
example: , , ( the diameter).
-, - (impar.)
(the grandmother)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-

-, - (impar.)
(the fox)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
-
Case
nom
gen
acc
voc
(proper name)
Singular

-
Plural
-
Attention:
- (plural is formed in a neuter gender form)
/ ( , / , ,
)

7.3 Neuter nouns

-, -
Case
nom
gen
acc
voc
(the book)
Singular

-
Plural

-
-, -
(the child)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
The most neuter nouns ending in the vocal sound i are written with -. However, some nouns are written with : , , , , en . Attention: is written nevertheless with - in the genitive
singular and in all cases plural: , enz. The neuter nouns and follow an exceptional
declension pattern as you will see further.
-, -
(the state)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
The nouns of this group bear the stress mark on the last syllable in the genitive plural.
-, - (impar.)
(the letter)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
The nouns of this group take an extra syllable in the genitive singular and in all cases plural. The genitive plural
bears the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable.
- (-, -) - (the painting)
(impar.)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
The nouns of this group take an extra syllable in the genitive singular and in all cases plural. The genitive plural
bears the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable.

-, -
(the meat), (the monster)
-, -
(the fact)
-, -
(the regime), (the light)
(impar.)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
These nouns take an extra syllable in the genitive singular and in all cases plural.
7.3.1 Neuter nouns with an exceptional declension

-, -
(the duty)
-, -
(the space)
-, -
(the vowel)
(impar.)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
These nouns take an extra syllable in the genitive singular and in all cases plural. The genitive plural bears the
stress mark on the second-to-last syllable.
,
(the acid), (the spear)
(impar.)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
These nouns take an extra syllable in the genitive singular and in all cases plural. The genitive plural bears the
stress mark on the second-to-last syllable.
Attention: There are more neuter nouns with an exceptional declension. See some of them below:
( , / , , )
( , / no plural, in some cases the plural of the word
may be used)
( , / , , )

8. Adjectives /
Adjectives are declinable words which modify or attribute a property to nouns. They agree in gender, number
and case with the noun they refer to. However they may follow a different declensional pattern, for example:

the good man

the good men
(dif decl pat)
the good woman

the good women
(dif decl pat)
the good child

the good children
Declension
Adjectives follow a three-fold gender distinction: masculine, feminine, neuter. They decline as nouns and can
be divided into groups according to the endings of the nominative singular. Adjectives belonging to a certain
group decline the same way.
The following tables show the different groups and one adjective of each group is being representatively
declined. Any exceptions or details about the cases and the accentmark will be mentioned under the tables.
8.1 Regular adjectives
-, -, -
, -, - (good)
Case
Singular
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
Plural

-
-, -, -
Case
nom
gen
acc
voc
Plural

-
Plural

-
Plural

-
Plural

, -, - (beautiful)
Singular

-
-
-, -, -
, -, - (sweet)
Case
Singular
nom

gen

acc

voc
-
-
-
The feminine plural is formed without the --.
-, -, -
Case
nom
gen
acc
voc
, -, - (deep)
Singular

-
-
-, -, -
Case
nom
gen
, -, - (asgray)
Singular

acc
voc

-,-,-
Case
nom
gen
, -, - (jealous)
Singular

Plural

acc
voc
-
-
-
-
-
The masculine plural takes an extra syllable. These adjectives do not form the genitive plural
gender.

-
of the feminine
8.2 Irregular adjectives

The following tables show adjectives with an irregular declensional pattern.
8.2.1 Adjectives with the ending -, -, -
-,-,-
, -, - (international)
Case
Singular
Plural
nom

gen
acc

voc
- ()
-
-
-
-
-
The adjectives ending in -, which are stressed in the second-to-last syllable in the nominative singular as
(full), (usual) etc., retain the stress on the second-to-last syllable in all cases. Attention: The
adjectives ending in - as (ideal), (mysterious) etc. bear the stress mark on the last
syllable in the genitive plural, for example: , , , () - , ,
,
Attention: Some adjectives have less common endings. See some of them below:
, ,
, , /
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
8.2.2 The adjective , , (much, many)
Singular
Case
masculine
feminine
nom
gen
acc
voc
-
neuter
Plural
Case
masculine
feminine
neuter
nom
gen
acc
voc
Attention: use one when - follows, dubble in all other cases.

Do not confuse the adjective with the adverb which means very .

10.1 Personal pronouns /

Personal pronouns are declinable words and may be used instead of nouns or persons. The use of
personal pronouns with verbs is not obligatory as persons are indicated by the unique personal endings
of the verbs:
() I write
() you write
Personal pronouns may be used to add emphassis:
, ! I shall go, you will not go anywhere.
The following table shows the declension of the personal pronouns. The forms placed within brackets
are the weak forms, the other are the emphatic ones:
nom
gen
acc
voc
Singular
1e person
I
()
me
()
me
2e person
you
()
you
()
you
e
3 person
() he
()
him
()
him
() she
()
her
()(()) her
() it
()
it
()
it
Plural
1e person
we
()
us
()
us
2e person
you
()
you
()
you
e
3 person
() they
() them
() them
() they
() them
(, ) them
() they
() them
()
them
Attention: The third person accusative of the masculine singular (, ) is always used with
, in order to be distincted from the third person accusative of the neuter singular (, ). The
third person accusative of the feminine singular is used with if the following word starts with a
vowel or with one of the following (combination) consonants , , , , , , , . Some weak
forms must not be confused with cases of the definite article ( , , ) which are placed before
nouns. Personal pronouns are placed before or after verbs.
The emphatic form may be used before or after the verb, while the weak form is always used before
the verb. Attention: is used before and after the verb.
. . I shall pay.
. He knows me well. . I see him. . I see her.
, . If you see them, call them.
However, the weak form is placed after the imperative mood or participle of the verb.
, , . Give me, the pencil, please.
(v) . He was singing looking her in the eyes.
Weak and emphatic forms are often used one after the other.
. They call me Eleni.

10.2 Possessive pronouns /

Possessive pronouns are indeclinable. They have the same form as the weak forms of the personal
pronouns in genitive and they express possession.
Singular
Plural
my
our
your
your
his
their
her
their
its
their
The possessive pronouns are placed after the noun or the adjective they refer to.
my book
your book
his book
Three-syllable nouns, which are stressed on the third-to-last syllable in the nominative singular, take
an additional stress mark on the last syllable, when a possessive pronoun follows.

The words , , (own) are used to express possession emphatic. These words are used
before the possessive pronouns mentioned above and behave as adjectives which means that they
agree in gender, number, case with the noun they refer to.

my own brother
your own sister
our own book
my own friends
your own school

10.3 Relative pronouns /

Relative pronouns are used to join sentenses.
(that, who(m)). This indeclinable relative pronoun without stress mark is very often used and is
placed after any noun regardless of its gender, number and case. It may be used instead of ,
, . Attention: Do not confuse with the interrogative adverb which means
where.
. I lost the book that you lend me.
, , (who, which). This relative pronoun is always preceded by a definite
article and agrees in gender, number and case with the noun it refers to. It follows the declensional
pattern of the adjectives ending in -, -, -.
. I lost the book which you lend me.
, , (whoever, whichever, anyone who) en , (whatever, what, any). ,
, is used without article and follows the declensional pattern of the adjectives ending in , -, -. , is indeclinable. Attention: Do not confuse , with the conjunctive word
which means that.
. Whoever wants may try it.
, .
Take whatever you want.
, , (as much as, as many as). This relative pronoun is used without article and it
follows the declensional pattern of adjectives ending in -, -, -.
.
Take as much as you want.

10.4 Demonstrative pronouns /

The demonstrative pronouns are used to indicate which entity the speaker refers to. The most common
demonstrative pronouns are:
this
that
such
so much, so many
The demonstrative pronouns follow the declensional pattern of the corresponding adjectives in -, -,
- or -, -, - and agree in gender, number and case with the noun they refer to.

this gentleman
that lady
that book
these children

10.5 Interrogative pronouns /

The interrogative pronouns are used in order to ask questions.
(what). This little word is indeclinable.
, , (who, which). This interrogative pronoun follows the declensional pattern of
adjectives ending in -, -, -. The genitive singular and plural has two forms: and ,
and . Attention: Do not confuse with the adverb which means more.
((singular) whose). This interrogative pronoun may be used instead of the genitive singular of
.
((plural) whose). This interrogative pronoun is seldom used.
, , (how much, how many). This interrogative pronoun follows the declensional
pattern of adjectives ending in -, -, -.

10.6 Indefinite pronouns /

Indefinite pronouns refer to one or more unspecified persons and objects.
The following table shows some of the indefinite pronouns with examples.
, ,
someone, somebody

Somebody said
(), (), (with a positive . Nobody came.
meaning: someone, one, anyone), (with a negative . I said nothing.
meaning: noone, nobody)
(indeclinable)
every
Attention: If (),
, ,
anyone, each
(), and
, ,
somebody, someone
are used in a negative sentence with a
, ,
some, any
verb, the negative words () or
(indeclinable)
something, some
() have to be used as well.
() (indeclinable) (with a positive meaning: Notice that Greek uses double
anything, any), (with a negative meaning: nothing)
negative.
, ,
another
Notice that , -, -, (), (), and , -, - are used
without article, while , -, -, and , , may be used with or without
article.

11. Numerals /
Numerals may indicate a number, quantity, a position in a series. They may be divided into cardinal,
ordinal, multiplicative, relative and collective numerals. The following table shows the most common,
the cardinal and the ordinal numerals.
Cardinal numerals /
Ordinal numerals /
0
1
, ,

2

3
, ,

4
, ,

5

10

11

12

13
, ,

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
2000
1.000.000

1.000.000.000

The neuter form of the cardinal numbers is used for counting.
Attention: The cardinal numerals 13-19 are written in one word: , .
Numeral combinations with the adjective (half) are written in the ending with an - when the
numerals , are used and in all other cases with an -, for example:
(masculine) (one and a half month)
(one and a half min)
(feminine) (one and a half hour)
(two and a half hours)
/ (three and a half hours/months) but (three and a half min)
/ (four and a half hours/months) but (four and a half
min)

Telling the time: / / from 2-12 , etc (at one oclock / at half
past one / at two oclock, at three oclock etc)
Stating ages: / (31 / 33 years old), the declinable numerals are used in the
genitive when ages are stated, see 11.1 below for the declinable numerals.
11.1 Declension of cardinal numerals
The following cardinal numerals decline and agree in gender and case with the noun they refer to:
1
Singular
Cases
Masculine
Feminine
Neuter
nom
gen
acc
()
,
3
Plural
Cases
Masculine and feminine Neuter
nom
gen
acc
4
Plural
Cases
Masculine and feminine Neuter
nom
gen
acc
Numerals combined with one of the above mentioned numerals decline the same way as well, for
example:
13, 14, 21, 23, 24 etc.
The numerals from , , (200) until , , (1000) follow
the declensional pattern of adjectives ending in -, -, - in the plural number and agree in gender and
case with the noun they refer to:
Plural
Cases
Masculine
Feminine
Neuter
nom
gen
acc
The numerals , (2) and from (5) until (100) do not decline except numerals
combined with the numerals one, three, four, as said above.

one pupil
one woman
three men
nine men
one oclock
two pupils
one child
four children
thousand women
11.2 Declension of ordinal numerals

All ordinal numerals follow the declensional pattern of adjectives ending in -, -, - and agree in
gender, number and case with the noun they refer to.

12. Verbs /
Verbs are words that state something about the subject of the sentence and may express action, event,
or condition. The citation form of the Greek verb is denoted by the 1st person singular of the simple
present tense.
The Greek verb can take many different forms which may indicate five properties: person, number,
voice, tense and mood. Person is the verb form that expresses the speaker (1st person), the person
addressed (2nd person) or the person, animal or thing spoken of (3rd person). Number is the verb form
that shows the singularity or the plurality of the subject of the verb. The Greek verb has two numbers,
the singular and the plural, and three persons in each number as the English verb but unlike the
English verb the person and the number in the Greek verb are included in the ending. Each person
either in singular or in plural has a clearly distinguished ending. Therefore the use of personal
pronouns before the verbs is not obligatory in Greek. Nevertheless personal pronouns may be used for
emphatic reasons. The second person plural is also used as the polite form. The other properties of the
Greek verb will be discussed in the following paragraphs.
12.1 Active and Passive voice (morphology)
The different forms the Greek verb can take may be divided into two main groups called voices, the
active and the medio-passive voice. The active voice includes all forms of the verbs whose 1st person
singular of the simple present ends in -, -. The medio-passive voice includes all forms of the verbs
whose 1st person singular of the simple present ends in -.
The table below shows both voices with examples of verbs in the 1st person singular of the simple
present:
Active voice
Medio-passive voice
(all verb forms of the verbs ending in , -)
(all verb forms of the verbs ending in -)
-, -
-
write
be said
love
get loved
live
, sleep
move
The Greek verb may be also divided into categories according to the relationship between the action
and the subject of the verb. The verb will be characterized as active when the subject of the verb
performs the action, as passive when the subject of the verb receives the action of the verb which is
performed by another subject and as medium when the subject of the verb performs and at the same
time receives the action of the verb.
Most verbs have an active and a medio-passive form, for example:
Active voice
Medio-passive voice
(wash)
(wash oneself or be washed)
(love)
(be loved)
Notice, however, that there are verbs only in the active voice as (live), (run). There are also
verbs only in the medio-passive voice, the so-called deponent verbs, which have usually an active
meaning, as (come), (work), (accept, receive).

12.2 Verb conjugations

The Greek verbs can be divided into two groups according to the way they conjugate: Group A, the
group of the 1st conjugation and group B, the group of the 2nd conjugation.
Verbs ending in - with the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable belong to group A, the group of
the 1st conjugation. The medio-passive voice of these verbs ends in -.
Verbs ending in - (of -) with the stress mark on the last syllable belong to the group B, the group
of the 2nd conjugation. This group is further divided into two subgroups, B1 and B2, which follow a
different conjugation pattern in the present tense. Characteristic of the B1 subgroup is the letter in
the endings of the present tense and of the B2 subgroup the letters . The passive voice of the
subgroup B1 and B2 ends respectively in - and - or -. Notice that some verbs ending in
- follow the archaic conjugation pattern. The differences between the subgroups and the verbs
following the archaic conjugation will be shown below in the paragraphs where the tenses will be
discussed.
There are no rules to determine whether a verb belongs to subgroup B1 or B2, the determination is a
question of knowledge and practise. In any case in a good dictionary it is clear to see whether a verb
belongs either to the B1 or to the B2 subgroup as the ending of the second or even the third person of
the present tense of the active voice is given after the verb. The same applies for the B2 verbs of the
medio-passive voice and and the verbs with the archaic conjugation ending in -, the second or
even the third person of the medio-passive voice is also given (see the table below). Notice that certain
verbs may belong to both subgroups and that they follow both conjugation patterns as (help),
(telephone), (wear) etc. .
The table below shows the verb groups:
Group A, 1st conj.
-
-
Group B, 2nd conj.

B1
-(-) -
B2
-(-) - of -(-)
/
arc. conj. - (-)
12.3 The tenses

Tenses are forms of the verb which show whether the action, the event or condition expressed by the
verb is placed in the past, the present or the future. Greek does not use different forms in the present,
the past, the present perfect, the past perfect and the future perfect tense in order to express continuity
as English does with the present, past, present perfect, past perfect and future perfect continuous.
However, continuity in the past and in the future may be expressed in Greek by different
morphological forms respectively the Imperfect, and the future continuous,
. That being said the following tenses are used in Greek: the simple present,
the imperfect, the simple past, the future continuous, the simple future, the present perfect, the past
perfect and the future perfect. It is clear that there are less tenses in Greek than in English.
The function and the formation of the Greek tenses will be discussed in the following paragraphs. First
it will be outlined when each tense may be used and then it will be described how to form each tense
step by step. The steps may in principle apply to all regular verbs but with the necessary caution as
there are certain verbs that may follow a different formation pattern. The formation proces is being
exemplified by the use of verbs in greek which clarifies the whole process. The past tense of irregular
verbs will be given in a list.

12.3.1 The simple present /

The simple present generally describes an action, an event or condition that takes place in the present.
The simple present is used:
- to describe an action, an event or condition that is occurring at the moment of speaking
. I am reading the newspaper now.
- to express general truths
. The earth rotates around the sun.
- to show a habit, repetition or continuity
. I go to school every day.
. I live in Greece.
- to refer to an action or an event that will certainly occur in the near future
. I am leaving for Italy tomorrow.
- to describe events taken place in the past in order to make them more vivid (historical present)
, ... . While we were talking, the door opens and .
12.3.1.1 Formation of the simple present of the active voice
Group A, 1st conjugation
Characteristics
The personal endings of the simple present of the verbs belonging to group A are:
-, -, -, -, -, -
Formation steps
The verbs (write) en (read) are used as examples:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (ommit -).
2. Place the endings
-, -, -, -, -, -
after the stem and put the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Notice that the the first and the second person plural bear the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable.
You can see the personal endings of the simple present of the active voice of the 1st conjugation and
the conjugation of the verbs used above in the table below:
I write
I read
-
you write
you read
-
he/she/it writes
he/she/it reads
-
-
-
- ()
()
we write
you write
they write
we read
you read
() they read

Group B, 2nd conjugation

Characteristics
The personal endings of the simple present of the verbs belonging to group B are:
B1:
-(-), -, -(-), -(-), -, - (-)
B2:
-, -, -, -, -, -.
Formation steps
The verbs (speak) and (can) are used as examples:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -).
1
2
-(-), -, -(-), -(-), -, - (-)
after the stem of the B1 verbs
or the endings
-, -, -, -, -, -
1
(-), , (-),
2
, , ,
You can see the personal endings of the simple present of both subgroups of the 2nd conjugation and
the conjugation of the verbs (speak) en (can) in the table below:
B1
B2
(-)
I speak
I can
- (-)
-
you speak
you can
-
-
(-)
he/she/it speaks -
he/she/it can
- (-)
- (-)
-
- (-)
(-)
(-)
we speak
you speak
they speak
-
-
-()
we can
you can
they can

12.3.1.2 Formation of the simple present of the medio-passive voice

Notice that some Greek verbs in the medio-passive voice have an active meaning in English as
(come), (sleep) etc. .
Characteristics
The personal endings of the simple present of the medio-passive voice of the verbs belonging to group
A are:
-, -, -, -, -, -.
Formation steps
The verb (get dressed) is used as example:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -, -).
2. Place after the stem the endings
-, -, -, -, -, -.
-
-
-
-
-
-
You can see the personal endings of the simple present of the medio-passive voice of the 1st
conjugation and the conjugation of the verb (get dressed) in the table below:
I am (or get) dressed

-
you are dressed

-
he/she/it is dressed
-
-
-
-
we are dressed
you are dressed
they are dressed

Characteristics
The endings of the simple present of the medio-passive voice of verbs belonging to group B are:
B1:
-, -, -, -, , -
B2:
-/, -, -, -, -, -
Arch. conj.:
-, -, -, -, -, -
Formation steps
Verbs B1 and B2
The verbs (be loved) en / (sleep) are used as examples:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -, -, -, -).
1
2

/
-, -, -, -, , -
or the endings
-/, -, -, -, -, -

1
-
-
-
2
-/
-
-
You can see the personal endings of the simple present of the medio-passive voice of the 2nd
conjugation and the conjugation of the verb (be loved), (sleep) in the table
below:
B1
B2
I am loved
/
I sleep
-
-/
you are loved
you sleep
-
-
he
he
-
-
-
-
-
we
you
they
-
-
-
we
you
they
Verbs with archaic conjugation

Some verbs ending in - as (narrate), (consist), (imitate),
(busy oneself with, employ) etc. follow the archaic conjugation.
The verb (narrate) is used as example:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -).
2. Place after the stem the personal endings of the archaic conjugation
-, -, -, -, -, -
-
-
-
-
-
-
You can see the endings of the simple present of the medio-passive voice of the verbs with the archaic
conjugation and the conjugation of the verb (narrate) in the table below:
I narrate
-
you narrate
-
he
-
-
-
-
we
you
they
Some seldom used verbs ending in - follow the archaic conjugation as well, as the verb
(guarantee):
-, -, -, -, -, -.

12.3.2 The simple past /

The simple past is used to describe an action, an event or condition that occurred in the past without
being interested in its duration. The action or the event described was completed at some point.
Duration or habit is expressed in Greek by the Imperfect tense.
.
.
I went to the park yesterday.

I saw Maria yesterday.
12.3.2.1 Formation of the simple past of the active voice

Characteristics of the past tense of the active voice
The personal endings of the of the active voice are: -, -, -, -, -, -.
The letters , (+), (+) before the endings are typical letters of the . However,
there are verbs that form the without these letters, as you will see below.
In the the verbs are in principle stressed on the third-to-last syllable.
The augment (prefix) -
Two-syllable verbs take in the the augment - with the stress mark on it. By taking the
augment these verbs bear the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable. The augment dissapears if the
stress mark is not to be found on the - as in the first and second person plural. When two-syllable
verbs have a preposition as a prefix, the augment is placed after the preposition and before the verb. If
the preposition ends in a vowel, then this vowel disappears. Notice that the vowel in the preposition
remains and that the preposition changes into , for example:
(collect) -
(give way) -
(allow) -
(sign) -
(describe) -
(express)
Attention: There are verbs that do not take the augment - (see the list with the irregular verbs):
(want) (Imperfect tense)
(know) -
(drink)
(raise, revoke) -
Formation steps
The verbs (read) and (write) are used as examples:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -)
2. Change the last letter of the present stem into , of by applying the following rules: If the
stem of the present tense ends in:
a vowel or
, , ,
, , , , , ,
(exception: -)
, , , ,
or
Notice that certain verbs (often ancient Greek verbs), whose present stem ends in -, -, -, -,
retain these letters in the , sometimes with modifications in the stem, for example
(stay) , (err, make a mistake) (see the list with the irregular
verbs).
This is the past stem of the verb.

3. Place the personal endings of the (-, -, -, -, -, -) after the past stem
and put the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable. If the verb has two syllables, place the
augment - (before the past stem with the stress mark on it). Do not forget to omit the
augment in the first and second person plural.
-
--
-
--
-
--
-
-
-
-
-
--
The verbs used above are conjugated in the following table:
I read (simple past)
you read
I wrote
you wrote

Characteristics
Verbs of the 2nd conjugation take before the endings the letters -- or sometimes --, --, --, -, --, --. These verbs in principle do not need the augment -. Notice, however, that the verb
(live) takes the augment ( - ).
Formation steps
The verbs (love), (laugh) and (telephone) are used as example:
1
2
2. Place the letters -- (or sometimes --, --, --, --, --, --) after the stem. This is
the past stem of the verb.
1
2
---3. Place the personal endings of the (-, -, -, -, -, -) in the end and put
the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable.
1
2
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
- -
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--

The verbs used above are conjugated in the following table:

B1
B2
I loved
I laughed
you
you ...
I telephoned
you
12.3.2.2 Formation of the past tense of the medio-passive voice

Characteristics
The endings of the of the medio-passive voice are the same as in the active voice:
-, -, -, -, -, -.
The verbs in the of the medio-passive voice are also stressed on the third-to-last syllable.
Characteristics
The lettercombinations -- and -- before the endings are typical of the of the
medio-passive voice of the A verbs (the following lettercombinations as well but less often: --, -, --, --, -()-, -()-).
Formation steps
The verbs (get paid) and (be bought) are used as example:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -, -)
- - - - 2. Change the last letter of the stem of the present tense into , of
(or sometimes into --, --, --, --, -()-, -()-), this is the past stem of the mediopassive voice of the verb. The following rules may in principle be applied:
If the past tense of the active voice ends in:
- - or
- -
- - /
- - 3. Place the lettercombination -- after the past tense stem of the medio-passive voice:
--4. Place the personal endings of the (-, -, -, -, -, -) in the end and put
the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable.
--
--
--
--
The verbs used above are conjugated in the table below:
I was (or got) paid
you were paid
I was bought
you were bought

Groep B, 2nd conjugation and verbs with the archaik conjugation

Characteristics
The lettercombination -- before the endings is typical of the of the medio-passive
voice of the B verbs (the following lettercombinations as well but less often: --, --, -, --, --).
Formation steps
The verbs (be loved), (be bored), (sleep) en (narrate) are used
as example:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -, -, -, -)
B1
B2
Archaic conjugation
- () 2. Place after the present stem the lettercombination -- (or one of the following
lettercombinations: --, --, --, --, --), this is the past stem of the medio-passive
voice of the verb
B1
B2
Archaic conjugation
----3. Place the letters -- after the past stem of the medio-passive voice
B1
B2
Archaic conjugation
--- ------
4. Place the personal endings of the (-, -, -, -, -, -) in the end and put
the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable
B1
B2
Archaic conjugation
--- ---
---
---
--- ---
---
---
...
...
One verb of each group is conjugated in the table below:
1
2
I was loved
I slept
you were loved you slept
Archaic conjugation
I narrated
you narrated

12.3.3 The Imperfect tense /

The verbs in express duration and repetition in the past. The Imperfect tense stresses
the continuing nature of the action or the event taken place in the past. Therefore it is used
- to indicate a habitual action or event occurred in the past
. I was playing golf every Sunday last year.
-
to describe an event that took place over een extended period of time
. He was studying the whole day yesterday.
to describe an action that was ongoing when something else took place
, . While he was studying, the telephone rang.
12.3.3.1 Formation of the Imperfect tense of the active voice

Characteristics
The personal endings of the are the same as in the Past tense, the : -, -, , -, -, -. The A verbs bear the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable while the B verbs on
the second-to-last syllable except the first and the second person plural where the stress mark is to be
found on the third-to-last syllable.
Groep A, 1st conjugation
The augment (prefix) -
The verbs of the 1st conjugation take an augment. The same rules apply as in the past tense, the
, see above the use of the augment in the Past tense.
Formation steps
The verbs (read) and (write) are used as example:
2. Place the personal endings (-, -, -, -, -, -) after the present stem and put the stress
mark on the third-to-last syllable. If the verb has two syllables, place the augment - (before
the present stem with the stress mark on it). Notice that the first and the second person plural
do not take the augment.
-
--
-
--
-
--
-
-
-
-
-
--
I was reading
you were reading
I was writing
you were writing
-
-
-


Characteristics
The verbs of the 2nd conjugation take before the personal endings the letter combination -- and
bear the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable except the first and the second person plural.
Moreover these verbs do not take the augment -.
Formation steps
The verbs (love) and (telephone) are used as example:
1
2
2. Place the lettercombination -- after the present tense stem.
1
2
---3. Place the personal endings (-, -, -, -, -, -) in the end and put the stress mark on
the second-to-last syllable. Notice that the first and the second person plural bear the stress
mark on the third-to-last syllable.
1
2
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
- -
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
4. The verbs used above are conjugated in the following table:

B1
B2
I was loving I was laughing
I was telephoning
you
you ...
you

12.3.3.2 Formation of the Imperfect tense of the medio-passive voice

Characteristics
The endings of the Imperfect tense of the medio-passive voice of the verbs belonging to group A are:
, -, -, -, -, -
Formation steps
The verb (get paid) is used as example:
1. Find the present stem (omit -, -)
- 2. Place the endings after the stem -, -, -, -, -, -
-
-
-
-
-
-
Hieronder wordt bovenstaande werkwoord vervoegd:
I was being (or getting) paid
you were being paid


Characteristics
The endings of the Imperfect tense of the medio-passive voice of the verbs belonging to group B are:
B1:
-, -, -, -, -, - (-)
B2:
-, -, -, -, -, - (-)
Arc. conj.:
-, -, -, -, -, -
Formation steps
The verbs (be loved), (sleep) and (narrate) are used as example:
1. Find the present stem (omit -, -, -, -)
B1
B2
Archaic conjugation
- 2. Place the endings
-, -, -, -, -, - (-)
after the stem of the B1 verbs,
the endings
-, -, -, -, -, - (-)
or the endings
-, -, -, -, -, -
after the stem of the archaic conjugation
B1
B2
Archaic conjugation
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- (-)
-
-
- (-)
-
-
-

B1
B2
I was being loved
I was sleeping
you ...
you
Archaic conjugation
I was narrating
you
(-)
(-)

12.3.4 The simple future /

The simple future describes an action or event that will take place in the future without being
interested in its duration. Duration and repetition are expressed by the future continuous. The use of
the particle before the verb characterizes both future tenses.
.
.
I shall make a cake tommorow.

I shall pay the bill tommorow.
12.3.4.1 Formation of the simple future of the active voice

Verbs of the 1st and the 2nd conjugation
Characterestics
The simple future of the verbs of the active voice can be formed by using: the particle , the stem
of the past tense of the active voice and the personal endings of the present tense of the active voice.
Formation steps
The verbs (read), (write), (love), (telephone) are used as examples:
1. Find the past stem of the active voice of the verb.
Group B, 2nd conjugation, B1, B2
- - - - - - - - - - - - 2. Place after the stem the personal endings of the present tense of the active voice of the verbs
of the 1st conjugation (-, -, -, -, -, -) and put the stress mark on the second-tolast syllable. Notice that the first and the second person plural bear the stress mark on the
third-to-last syllable.
-, -, -,
-, -, -,
-, -, -,
-, -, -,
3. Place the particle before the verb.
, ,
, ,

,
, ,
In the table below one verb of each group is conjugated:


I shall write

I shall love

you will write

you will love


12.3.4.2 Formation of the simple future of the medio-passive voice

Characteristics
The simple future of the medio-passive voice of both groups can be formed by using: the particle ,
the past stem of the medio-passive voice and the personal endings of the present tense of the active
voice of the B2 verbs.
Formation steps
The verbs (be paid), (be bought), (be loved), (sleep),
(narrate) are used as examples:
1. Find the past stem of the medio-passive voice of the verb.
Group B, 2nd conjugation,
B1, B2, archaic conjugation
-----------
2. Place after the past stem de personal endings of the present tense of the active voice of the B2
verbs (-, -, -, -, -, -) and put the stress mark on the last syllable. Notice that
the first and the second person plural bear the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable.
-, -,
-, -,
-, -,
-, -,
-, -,
3. Place before the verb the particle .
, ,
, ,

, ,
, ,
, ,


I shall be paid

I shall be loved

you will be paid

you will be loved


12.3.5 The future continuous /

The future continuous is used to express duration or repetition in the future.
.
.
Tomorrow I shall be studying the whole day.

The whole summer he/she will be working.
12.3.5.1 Formation of the future continuous of the active voice

Verbs of the 1st and 2nd conjugation
Characteristics
The future continuous of the active voice can be formed by using: the particle and the present
tense of the active voice of the verb.
Formation steps
The verbs (write), (love), (telelphone) are used as examples:
1. Take the simple present of the active voice of the verb.
, ,
, ,
, , ,
, ,

, ,
, , ,


I shall be writting
(-)
I shall be loving

(-)

(-)

(-)

12.3.5.2 Formation of the future continuous of the medio-passive voice

Characteristics
The future continuous of the medio-passive voice can be formed by using: the particle and the
present tense of the medio-passive voice of the verb.
Formation steps
The verbs (be paid), (be bought), (be loved), (sleep),
(narrate) are used as examples:
1. Take the simple present of the medio-passive voice of the verb.
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
,

, ,
, ,
, ,



12.3.6 The present perfect /

The present perfect is the tense that connects the past with the present. The verb in the present perfect
expresses an action completed some time in the past with consequences that reach the present. The
speaker is not interested in time. The present perfect tense is used to describe:
-
an action or event completed in the past, the result of which is detectable in the present
. I have written the letter and I am going to
post it.
experiences the speaker has had or has never had in his life
. I have been many times in the
United States of America.
. I have never been in China.
The present perfect tense is formed by using the present tense of the auxiliary verb (have) (,
, , , , ) and the infinitive of the past tense of the verb ending in -.
. He/she has been many times in Athens.
.
I have not eaten anything untill now.
12.3.6.1 Formation of the present perfect of the active voice
Characteristics
The present perfect of the active voice can be formed by using the simple present of the auxiliary verb
(have) (, , , , , ) and the infinitive of the past tense of the active
voice of the verb (in principle with the endings: -, -, -).
Formation steps
The verbs (read), (write), (love) en (telephone) are used as
examples:
- - - - - - - - - - - - 2. Place after the stem the ending - and put the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable.
-
-
-
-
3. Use the simple present of the auxiliary verb (, , , , , )
before the verb.
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
I have written
I have loved

12.3.6.2 Formation of the present perfect of the medio-passive voice

Characterestics
The present perfect of the medio-passive voice can be formed by using the simple present of the
auxiliary verb (have) (, , , , , ) and the infinitive of the past tense of
the medio-passive voice of the verb (in principle ending in -, - or (-, -, -, -, (), -())).
Formation steps
The verbs , , , and are used as examples:
- -
-
- -
-
- -
- - - -
2. Place after the past stem the ending - and put the stress mark on the last syllable.
-
-
-
-
-
3. Use the simple present of the auxiliary verb (, , , , , )
before the verb.
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
I have been paid
I have been loved

12.3.7 The past perfect /

The past perfect is used to describe an action or event that occurred in the past. The past perfect shows
that the action described by the verb was completed before another past action or a certain point of
time.
The past perfect is formed by using the past tense of the auxiliary verb (have) (, , ,
, , ) and the infinitive of the past tense of the verb ending in -.
.
I had eaten before I went out.
.
Maria had cooked before six oclock.
12.3.7.1 Formation of the past perfect of the active voice
Characteristics
, , ) and the infinitive of the past tense of the active voice of the verb (in principle
with the endings: -, -, -).
Formation steps
The verbs , , and are used as examples:
- - - - - - - - - - - - 2. Place after the past stem the ending - and put the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable.
-
-
-
-
3. Use the simple past of the auxiliary verb (, , , , , ) before
the verb.
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
I had written
I had loved

12.3.7.2 Formation of the past perfect of the medio-passive voice

Verbs of the 1st and 2nd conjugation
Charachteristics
, , ) and the infinitive of the past tense of the medio-passive voice of the verb (in
principle with the endings -, - or (-, -, -, -, -(), -())).
Formation steps
-----------
2. Place after the past stem the ending - and put the stress mark on the last syllable.
-
-
-
-
-
3. Use the simple past of the auxiliary verb (, , , , , ) before
the verb.
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
I had been paid
I had been loved

12.3.8 The future perfect /

The future perfect refers to the future and shows that the action or the event described by the verb will
be completed in the future before another action, event or a certain point of time.
The future perfect is formed by using the particle (shall/will) and the present perfect tense of the
verb.
. I shall have written the letter before eight oclock.
. I shall have cooked before you come.
12.3.8.1 Formation of the future perfect of the active voice
Characteristics
The future perfect is formed by using the particle and the present perfect tense of the active voice
of the verb.
Formation steps
The verbs , , and are used as examples:
1. Take the present perfect of the active voice of the verb.
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
2. Place the particle before the present perfect.
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
I shall have written
I shall have loved

12.3.8.2 Formation of the future perfect of the medio-passive voice

characteristics
The future perfect of the medio-passive voice is formed by using the particle and the present
perfect of the medio-passive voice of the verb.
Formation steps
1. Take the present perfect of the medio-passive voice of the verb.
Groep B, 2e vervoeging,
B1, B2, Archasche vervoeging
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
2. Place the particle before the present perfect.
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
I shall have been paid
I shall have been loved

12.6.2 The subjunctive mood () presents the action or the event as something wanted or
expected. The action is not considered as an objective fact by the speaker. In other words the
subjunctive indicates what the subject of the verb wants, can, may, must do or is expecting to do.
Therefore it is often used after verbs as (want), (can, may), (must), (hope),
(think of), (wish) etc. . This mood is to be found in the (simple
present), (simple past) and (present perfect). The subjunctive mood is
preceded by the particles , , , , etc. and has six personal endings as the tenses of the
verb. Notice that the subjunctive is used to show continuation (subjunctive of the present tense)
or non-continuation (subjunctive of the past tense) of the action and not the time aspect (present,
past, future). Therefore the subjunctive may refer to the present, to the past or even to the future.
.
Helen wants to speak Greek.
12.6.2.1 The subjunctive of the simple present - ,

The subjunctive of the simple present shows continuation or repetition. The action expressed by the
verb is ongoing or repeated.
. I want to eat ice-cream every day in the summer.
Formation of the subjunctive of the simple present of the active and the medio-passive voice
The verbs (read), (write), (sleep) are used as examples:
1. Take the simple present of the verb.
2. Place one of the following particles , , , etc. before the verb.

12.6.2.2 The subjunctive of the simple paste ,

The subjunctive of the simple past expresses non-continuation, which means either that the action
expressed by the verb is not ongoing or that the speaker is not interested in the duration of the action.
The subjunctive of the simple past may refer, as mentioned above, to the present, to the past or even to
the future:
; .
Why did he/she go to the restaurant early? In order to find a free table. (in the past)
; .
Why is he/she going to the restaurant early? In order to find a free table. (in the present)
; .
Why will he/she go to the restaurant early? In order to find a free table. (in the future)

Formation of the subjunctive of the simple past of the active and the medio-passive voice
The verbs (read), (love), (sleep) are used as examples:
1. Find the past stem of the verb
- - -
- - -
- - -
2. Place the following endings:
-, -, -, -, -, -
after the stem of the verbs of the active voice
or -, -, -, -, -,
after the stem of the verbs of the medio-passive voice
3. Place one of the following particles , , , etc. before the verb.

12.6.2.3 The subjunctive of the present perfect ,

The subjunctive of the present perfect focuses on the result of the action, for example:
. I want to have finished my
homework by tomorrow midday.
Formation of the subjunctive of the present perfect of the active and medio-passive voice
The verbs (read), (write), (sleep) are used as examples:
1. Take the present perfect of the verb.

2. Place one of the following particles , , , etc. before the present perfect.


12.6.3 The imperative () may express not only command (order) but also request and
desire. This mood is to be found in the (simple present), (simple past) and
seldom in the (present perfect). The imperative is used in the 2nd and the 3rd person
singular and plural. However, notice that the 3rd person, which is formed by the 3rd person of the
subjunctive mood, is seldom used. The 2nd person imperative may be also formed by the 2nd person of
the subjunctive mood preceded by the particle . Prohibition is expressed by using the negative
particle () before the subjunctive forms:
, !!! ( (subj), !) (singular)
!!! ( !!! (subj)) (plural)
or !!! (subj., 3rd person singular)
!!!(singular)
!!!(plural)
Write please!!!
Write!!!
Let him write!!!
Do not write!!!
Do not write!!!
12.6.3.1 The imperative of the simple present

The imperative of the simple present expresses duration or repetition of the action.
Formation of the imperative of the simple present of the active voice
The imperative of the medio-passive voice is seldom used and will not be examined. The verbs
(write), (love), and (telephone) are used as examples:
1. Finde the present stem of the verb.
- - - 2. Place after the stem the following endings
for the A group:
-, -
for the B1 group:
-, -
for the B2 group:
- (seldom used, however some verbs take -), -
-
-
-
-
-
-

12.6.3.2 The imperative of the simple past ,

The imperative of the simple past shows non-continuation which means either that the action is not
ongoing or that the speaker is not interested in its duration. Duration of repetition of the action is
expressed by the imperative of the simple present, as mentioned above.
Formation of the imperative of the simple past of the active voice
The verbs (write), (love) are used as examples:
1. Find the past stem.
- - - - - - 2. Place after the stem of both groups the endings:
-, -
-
-
-
-
Formation of the imperative of the simple past of the medio-passive voice
The verbs (get dressed) (be loved) are used as examples:
1. Find the past stem of the medio-passive voice. In order to form the 2nd person singular omit
the last letter(s) of the stem: -, -, (or sometimes -, -, -)
- -
- -
nd
2 person singular: 2nd person singular: 2nd person plural: 2nd person plural: 2. Place after the past stem of both groups the endings:
2nd person regular:
- (if the omitted letter(s) are - or )
- (if the omitted letter(s) are -)
- (if the omitted letter(s) are - or -)
2nd person plural:
-
-
-
-
-

12.6.5 The participle

The participle is to be found in the simple present tense of the active voice and in the present perfect
tense of the medio-passive voice.
12.6.5.1 The present participle
The present participle (the participle of the simple present of the active voice) is an uninflected form of
the verb which is formed by the present stem of the active voice and the endings - or -. In
the sentence the present participle has an adverbial function and may indicate time, manner, cause,
condition etc. .
. You learn when you ask questions.
Formation of the present participle
The verbs (write) and (love) are used as examples:
1. Find the present stem of the active voice of the verb.
- - 2. Place after the stem the following endings:
for group A -
for group B -
-
-

12.6.5.2 The past participle

The past participle (the participle of the present perfect of the medio-passive voice) is an inflected
form of the verb with three genders in the singular and plural number which is formed by the past stem
of the verb and the endings -, -, -. The past participle may be used as an adjective and
declines as the corresponding adjectives in -, -, -.
Notice that certain verbs of the medio-passive voice do not form the past participle, for example:
(respect), (stand up), (be glad).
Formation of the past participle
The following steps show how the past participle can be formed. Various verbs are used as examples:
(get dressed) - - (be loved) - - (wash ones hair) - - (regret, be sorry) - - (be written) - - (be deceived or mistaken) - (hide)- -
(be dipped)- - exception:
(sleep) (fear, be afraid of) - - 2. Omit the last letter(s) , , , .
- - - - -

- - - - exception:
- -
3. Place the following endings in the end:

if the omitted letter is :
-, -, -
if the omitted letters are :
-, -, -
-, -, -
(apply the following rule: use dubble when the present stem of the verbs of the A group
ends in -, -, -)
-, -, -
-, -, -
-, -, -
-, -, -
-, -, -
-, -, -
-, -, -
-, -, -
-, -,
exception:
, -, -
, -, -
Notice that certain verbs without any forms in the medio-passive voice can form the past participle, for
example: (lean) - , (go up)- , (grow old) , (get drunk) -

12.6.4 The infinitive -

The infinitive is an uninflected form of the verb of the active and medio-passive voice which is used
for the formation of certain tenses as the present perfect, the past perfect and the future perfect. It is
formed by the past stem of the verb with the ending - . Notice that the citation form of the verb is
the 1st person singular of the simple present and not the infinitive.
Formation of the infinitive of the active and the medio-passive voice
The verbs (write), (love), (prepare oneself, get ready), (sleep) are
used as examples:
1. Find the past stem of the verb.
Active voice
Medio-passive voice
- - - - - - - - - - - - 2. Place after the past stem the ending -, in the medio-passive voice with the stress mark
- .
Active voice
Medio-passive voice
-
-
-
-

13. Adverbs /
Adverbs are indeclinable words which can modify a verb, an adjective, another adverb or even a
whole sentence. They indicate place, time, manner, etc. The following tables show some examples of
adverbs:
place
time
manner
quantity
; where
; when
; how
; how much
here
now
so
a little
there
today
together
much
up
yesterday
anders
enough
under
tommorow good
about
inside
never
bad
outside
ever
quiet
certainty
negation
possibility
adverbs that modify sentences
yes
no
perhaps
fortunately, luckily
yes indeed
() not
possibly
unfortunately
trully, really () not
Many adverbs ending in - derive from adjectives using their plural neuter form, for example (plural neuter) - (adverb). Most of them express manner.
14. Prepositions /
Prepositions are little indeclinable words placed before other words, mostly nouns and pronouns,
indicating together with these words place, time, manner, cause etc. The noun or pronoun placed after
a preposition is mostly used in the accusative, sometimes in the genitive and with a few ancient greek
prepositions even in the dative case (from ancient greek), for example (gen) with
pleasure, (dat) in short. The following table show some examples of prepositions:
with
.
With Kostas.
from, vanwege
.
From Helen.
for
.
For Nikos.
(, , )
in, to, at
.
To/in the town/city.
towards
.
Towards the see.
without
.
Without Anna.
15. Conjunctions /
Conjunctions are little indeclinable words which link words or clauses. There are two kinds of
conjunctions. The co-ordinating conjunctions (, , , , , ...) link words and clauses
which are on an equal footing (independent to independent, dependent to dependent). The
subordinating conjunctions (, , ...) link a dependent clause to an independent one. In other
words they introduce a dependent clause which may indicate time, cause, purpose, condition etc. The
following tables show some examples of conjunctions:
(co-ord) copulative
(co-ord) alternate
(co-ord) contrast (subord) time
, and
or
but
while
neither nor
either or however
when
before
(subord) cause/reason
(subord) condition
(subord) purpose
why, because
if/whether
to
, , that
because
in order to
Attention: , , mean that, but , , , mean respectively where,

how, whatever, what, any.

16. Overviews word classes

16.1 Overview nouns
Gender
Masculine
Feminine
Neuter
Endings
Sing
Plural
-
-
Examples
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in digital form or any other form, by print, photoprint, microfilm
or any other means without written permission from the author Konstantinos Athanasiou

16.2 Overview adjectives

Endings
Singular
Plural
-, -, -
-, -, -
-, -, -
-, -, -
Singular
, ,
, ,
, ,
Plural
, ,
, ,
, ,
-, -, -
-, -, -
-, -, -
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
-, -, -
-, -, -
, ,
, ,
-, -, -
-, -, -
, ,
, ,
Examples

16.3 Overview most common irregular verbs in the simple present, the simple past, the simple past
subjunctive and the infinitive.
Simple present
Simple past
Subj simple past
Infinitive
(: )
(: )
(. )

16.4 Overview most common irregular verbs in the simple present, the simple past, and the simple past
imperative.
Simple past
Simple past

Imperative simple past
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
( / ) ( / )
/
/

st
16.5 Overview medio-passive simple past of verbs of the A group, 1 conjugation

,
Endings medio-passive simple present:
Endings medio-passive simple past: -, -, -, -, -(), -
-
-()
Attention in the formation of the medio-passive simple past of the verbs below:
!!! :

nd
16.6 Overview medio-passive simple past of verbs of the B group, 2 conjugation (B1, B2, archaic
conjugation)
B ,
Endings medio-passive simple present: , -, -
Endings medio-passive simple past: -, -, -, -, -, -
-

16.7 Overview tenses and moods of regular verbs
st
16.7.1 Group A, 1 conjugation, active voice
The letter in the simple past and in the tenses and moods that are formed with the past stem may, in principle, be substituted by the letters or that are also
used for the forming of the simple past of certain verbs.
Tense
.
,
. .
Mood
Simple present
Imperfect
Simple past
Future cont
Simple future
Present perfect Past perfect
Future perfect
Indicative
-
()
-
()
--
-
-
-
()
-
()
--
-
-
-
()
-
()
--
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
--
-
-
-
-
--
-
-
-
()
-
()
--
-
-
Conjunctive
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Imperative
-
-
-
-
Infinitive
-
Present
participle
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in digital form or any other form, by print, photoprint, microfilm or any other means without written
permission from the author Konstantinos Athanasiou.

st
16.7.2 Group A, 1 conjugation, medio-passive voice

The letter in the simple past and in the tenses and moods that are formed with the past stem can, in principle, be substituted by the letters (or --, --, --,
--, -()-, -()-) that are also used for the forming of the simple past of certain verbs.
Tense
.
,
. .
Mood
Simple present
Imperfect
Simple past
Future cont
Simple future
Future perfect
Indicative
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Conjunctive
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Imperative
(-) seldom
- (-, -)
(-) seldom
-
Infinitive
-
Past
participle
-()
-

nd
16.7.3 Group B, 2 conjugation, B1, active voice

The letters in the simple past and in the tenses and moods that are formed with the past stem can, in principle, be substituted by the letters --, --, --, --,
--, -- that are also used for the forming of the simple past of certain verbs.
Tense

.
,
. .
Mood
Simple present
Imperfect
Simple past
Future cont
Simple future
Future perfect
Indicative
- (-)
-
--
- (-)
-
-
-
--
-
-
- (-)
-
--
- (-)
-
-
-
-
- (-)
-
--
-(-)
-
-
-
--
-
-
- (-)
-
--
- (-)
-
Conjunct.
- (-)
-
-
-
- (-)
-
-
- (-)
-
-
-
- (-)
-
Imperative
-
-
-
-
Infinitive
-
Present
participle

nd
16.7.4 Group B, 2 conjugation, B1, medio-passive voice

The letters in the simple past and in the tenses and moods that are formed with the past stem can, in principle, be substituted by the letters --, --, --, -that are also used for the forming of the simple past of certain verbs.
Tense

.
,
. .
Mood
Simple present
Imperfect
Simple past
Future cont
Simple future
Future perfect
Indicative
-
-
---
-
-
-
-
---
-
-
-
-
---
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
---
-
-
-
-
---
-
-
-
-
---
-
-
Conjunctive
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Imperative
- (-)
-
Infinitive
-
Past
participle
-
-
-
The article
1. Fill in the correct definite article (, , ) as in the examples:
The article
1. Answers:
Nouns
1. Write the plural of the nouns below with the correct article as in the examples:
2. Write the plural of the nouns below in the same case with the correct article as in the
examples:
Nouns
1. Answers:
2. Answers:
Adjectives
1. Fill in the correct form of the adjectives below as in the example:
Adjectives
1. Answers:
The degrees of comparison, the comparative degree ,

1. Make sentences by using the word and the other words below in the correct form as
in the example:
The degrees of comparison, the comparative degree ,

1. Answers:
Personal pronouns
1. Fill in the correct personal pronoun as in the example:
.
;
( ) .
( ) .
( ) .
( ) .
( ) .
( ) .
( ) .
( ) .
( ) .
;
Personal pronouns
1. Answers:
.
( ) .
( ) .
( ) .
( ) .
( ) .
( ) . .
( ) .
( ) .
( ) .
Verbs, the simple present ,

1. Fill in the verb in the correct person of the simple present tense as in the example:
() .
() .
() .
() .
() .
() .
() .
() .
() ;
() .
() .
() .
() ;
() .
, () ;
Verbs, the simple present ,

1. Answers:
() .
() .
() .
() .
() .
() .
() .
() .
() ;
() .
() .
() .
() ;
() .
, () ;
, ;
Verbs, the simple past and the simple past subjunctive ,

1. Fill in the simple past and simple past subjunctive of the verbs below as in the examples:
Simple present
Simple past
Simple past subjunctive
Verbs, the simple past and the simple past subjunctive ,

1. Answers:
Simple present
Simple past
Simple past subjunctive
Verbs, the simple past and the simple past imperative ,
1. Fill in the simple past and the simple past imperative of the verbs below as in the examples:
Simple present
Simple past
Simple past imperative

()
()
()
()
Verbs, the simple past and the simple past imperative ,
1. Answers:
Simple present
Simple past
Simple past imperative

()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
Numerals
1. Fill in the cardinal numerals in the correct form:
(1) , .
(3) ;
(4) .
(1) (1) .
(3) .
(2) .
(4) .
2. Fill in the correct form of the ordinal numerals as in the example:

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Numerals
1. Answers:
(1) , .
(3) ;
(4) .
(1) (1) .
(3) .
(2) .
(4) .
2. Answers:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Adverbs
1. Fill in the correct adverb in the sentences below:
1.1 Adverbs of place
- , ;
- , .
, ; , .
.
- ;
- .
- ;
- , ;
1.2 Adverbs of time

- ;
- .
.
.
.
.
Adverbs
(Notice that there is more than one correct answer in some of the sentences)
1. Answers:
1.1 Adverbs of place
- , ;
- , .
, ; , .
.
- ;
- .
- ;
- , ;
1.2 Adverbs of time

- ;
- .
.
.
.
.
Prepositions
1. Fill in the correct preposition:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Prepositions
1. Answers:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
- The article
1. :
Fill in the correct article (, , ) and ending (-, -, -, -, -, -, -) in the nouns below as in the
examples:
:
Answers:
1.

Nouns Singular and Plural
1. :
Fill in the plural of the nouns below as in the examples:
:
Answers:
1.

Nouns Masculine and feminine nouns
1. :
Fill in the feminine noun of the masculine nouns below and then the plural of both of them as
in the example:

:
Answers:
1.

-
Nouns Singular and Plural
1.
:
Fill in the plural or the singular of the nouns below in the same case as in the examples:

:
Answers:
1.

Nouns The genitive
1. , :
Make sentences by using the second noun in the genitive as in the example:

:
Answers:
1.

Adjectives
1. :
Fill in the correct form of the adjectives below as in the example:
:
Answers:
1.
, -, -
Verbs, -, - All tenses
1. , :
Fill in the tenses of the verbs below in the same person as in the example:
. .
. .
. .
:
Answers:
1.
. .
. .
. .
(, ) ()
Active voice verbs (, ) and medio-passive voice verbs ()
1. , :
Fill in all tenses of the active voice verbs below in the same person as in the example:
. .
. .
.
.
2. , :
Fill in all tenses of the medio-passive voice verbs below in the same person as in the example:

. .
. .
. .

. .

:
Answers:
1.
. .
. .
. .
2.
. .
. .
. .
-
The participle The present participle and the past participle
1. - - -() -:
Fill in the present participle (- of -) and the past participle (-() of -) of the verbs below as in the example:
:
Answers:
1.
(-) Medio-passive simple past (-)

1.
:
Fill in the correct form of the medio-passive simple past as in the example:
() .
1. () .. ;
2. () .
() . .
3. () . ()
4. ()
5. () ., ().
() .
6. () ()
. .
7. () () . .
8. () .. , ()
. .
9. () .
10. () .. .
11. () .. ()
. .
12. !!! () .;
13. !!! () ;
14. () .
15. , () .
16. () . .
17. () . . !!!
18. ()
19. () . , .
20. () .
() .. .
:
Answers:
1. ;
2. .
3. .
4. .
5. , , .
6. .
7. .
8. , .
9. .
10. .
11. .
12. !!! ;
13. !!! ;
14. .
15. , .
16. .
17. () . !!!
18. .
19. , .
20. .
(-,-, -)
Medio-passive simple past (-,-, -)
1.
:
Fill in the correct form of the medio-passive simple past of the verbs as in the example:
() .
1. () .. .
2. () . .
3. () . .
4. () .. .
5. () . .
6. () () .
7. () .
8. () .. ;
9. () ;
10. () . .
11. () .. .
.
12. () . .
13. () .
14. () .
15. () .. .
16. () .. .
17. () ;
18. () .. .
19. () . .
20. () . .
:
Answers:
1. .
2. .
3. .
4. .
5. .
6. .
7. .
8. ;
9. ;
10. .
11. . .
12. .
13. .
14. .
15. .
16. .
17. ;
18. .
19. .
20. .

Újgörög Nyelvtan És Gyakorlatok

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Újgörög Nyelvtan És Gyakorlatok

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Modern Greek Grammar

Helen buys apples.

Age, date, time

The sorrow of the farewell.

Modern Greek Grammar

Smoked cheese from Metsovo.

11. Familial relationship

The battle of Marathon.

is used after a preposition:

may indicate time:

Modern Greek Grammar

Modern Greek Grammar

Modern Greek Grammar

7.1.1. Masculine nouns with an exceptional declension

Modern Greek Grammar

Modern Greek Grammar

7.2 Feminine nouns

Modern Greek Grammar

Modern Greek Grammar

7.3 Neuter nouns

Modern Greek Grammar

7.3.1 Neuter nouns with an exceptional declension

Modern Greek Grammar

Modern Greek Grammar

8.2 Irregular adjectives

Attention: use one when - follows, dubble in all other cases.

Modern Greek Grammar

10.1 Personal pronouns /

Modern Greek Grammar

10.2 Possessive pronouns /

Modern Greek Grammar

10.3 Relative pronouns /

Modern Greek Grammar

10.4 Demonstrative pronouns /

Modern Greek Grammar

10.5 Interrogative pronouns /

Modern Greek Grammar

10.6 Indefinite pronouns /

Modern Greek Grammar

Modern Greek Grammar

11.2 Declension of ordinal numerals

Modern Greek Grammar

Modern Greek Grammar

12.2 Verb conjugations

Group B, 2nd conj.

arc. conj. - (-)

12.3 The tenses

Modern Greek Grammar

12.3.1 The simple present /

Modern Greek Grammar

Group B, 2nd conjugation

Modern Greek Grammar

12.3.1.2 Formation of the simple present of the medio-passive voice

I am (or get) dressed

you are dressed

Group B, 2nd conjugation

Modern Greek Grammar

you are loved

Verbs with archaic conjugation

Modern Greek Grammar

12.3.2 The simple past /

I went to the park yesterday.

12.3.2.1 Formation of the simple past of the active voice

Modern Greek Grammar