{"id":6106,"date":"2023-07-31T14:32:23","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T14:32:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/?p=6106"},"modified":"2023-07-31T14:32:24","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T14:32:24","slug":"greek-tenses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/greek-tenses\/","title":{"rendered":"Greek Tenses Explained: A Complete Guide for Greek Learners"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Grammar can be a very tricky part of learning the Greek language. As we have already discussed, the key to mastering Grammar is practice<\/a>. One thing you must surely focus on are the Greek tenses.<\/p>\n

But why are Greek tenses so crucial? The thing is, mastering how to refer to distinct events across the span of time is a critical component of achieving fluency<\/strong>. And just like the Mirror of Galadriel<\/a>, you should be able to talk about \u201cthings that were, things that are, and some things that have not yet come to pass<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

It may sound intimidating, but there is no need to worry. This post will go over the formation and usage of each tense. Once you understand how they work, you’ll realize that the Greek verb tenses aren’t as difficult as they appear!<\/p>\n

Introduction to Greek Tenses: The Basics<\/h2>\n

Before we get into each tense, it’s important to understand the Greek verb system and tenses in general.<\/p>\n

What Are Verb Tenses?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The tense is a grammatical category used to express time reference<\/strong>. The verb’s tense typically indicates when the event or action denoted by the verb occurs in time, always in reference to the “now” as viewed in a linear sense of time.<\/p>\n

How Many Tenses Are There in Greek?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Greek tenses are fewer than the English ones. While English has 12 tenses<\/a>, Greek only has 8. These are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Present Tense<\/strong><\/td>\n\u0395\u03bd\u03b5\u03c3\u03c4\u03ce\u03c4\u03b1\u03c2<\/strong><\/td>\nPresent <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Past Tenses<\/strong><\/td>\n\u03a0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03cc\u03c2<\/strong><\/td>\nPast Continuous<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0391\u03cc\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2<\/strong><\/td>\nSimple Past<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Future Tenses<\/strong><\/td>\n\u03a3\u03c4\u03b9\u03b3\u03bc\u03b9\u03b1\u03af\u03bf\u03c2 \u039c\u03ad\u03bb\u03bb\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c2<\/strong><\/td>\nFuture Simple<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0395\u03be\u03b1\u03ba\u03bf\u03bb\u03bf\u03c5\u03b8\u03b7\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03cc\u03c2 \u039c\u03ad\u03bb\u03bb\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c2<\/strong><\/td>\nFuture Continuous<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Perfect Tenses<\/strong><\/td>\n\u03a0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03ba\u03b5\u03af\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2<\/strong><\/td>\nPresent Perfect<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u03a5\u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03c4\u03ad\u03bb\u03b9\u03ba\u03bf\u03c2<\/strong><\/td>\nPast Perfect<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u03a3\u03c5\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5\u03bb\u03b5\u03c3\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2 \u039c\u03ad\u03bb\u03bb\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c2<\/strong><\/td>\nFuture Perfect<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Most of the Greek tenses correspond to already known tenses from English and other languages as well. There are, however, some significant differences, such as the relationship between tenses and voices.<\/p>\n

Note: even though the perfect tenses can be considered as present\/past\/future tenses respectively, we will treat them as a separate category due to their conjugation.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Greek Tenses and Voices<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Greek language differs from many other Indo-European languages in that the passive voice of verbs is not formed by using an auxiliary verb and the past participle form, as in English. On the contrary, Greek verbs are conjugated for both active and middle\/passive voice, so you must memorize the Greek verb endings for both voices in each tense.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, most suffixes are similar across tenses, and some are repeated throughout the verb paradigm.<\/p>\n

The Greek Verb Groups<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Modern Greek has two (2) conjugation groups (excluding irregular verbs). There is a fairly simple rule of thumb for categorizing verbs into these groups. We have a Group A verb if the last letter is not accentuated and a Group B verb if the last letter is accentuated.<\/strong><\/p>\n

That trick, however, only works with the active voice. Things in the passive voice are more complicated; we’ll review them later.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s see the Groups:<\/p>\n

Conjugation Group A<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Active Voice<\/strong><\/td>\nPassive Voice<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03c9<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03b5\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03b5\u03b9<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03bf\u03c5\u03bc\u03b5<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03cc\u03bc\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03b5\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03bf\u03c5\u03bd(\u03b5)<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Conjugation Group B<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Conjugation group B is further split into two classes:<\/p>\n

First Class<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Active Voice<\/strong><\/td>\nPassive Voice<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03ce \/ -\u03ac\u03c9<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03b9\u03ad\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03ac\u03c2<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03b9\u03ad\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03ac(\u03b5\u03b9)<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03b9\u03ad\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03ac\u03bc\u03b5 \/ -\u03bf\u03cd\u03bc\u03b5<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03b9\u03cc\u03bc\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03ac\u03c4\u03b5<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03b9\u03ad\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5 \/ -\u03b9\u03cc\u03c3\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03bf\u03cd\u03bd(\u03b5)<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03b9\u03bf\u03cd\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Second Class<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Active Voice<\/strong><\/td>\nPassive Voice 1<\/strong><\/td>\nPassive Voice 2<\/strong><\/td>\nPassive Voice 3<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03ce<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03bf\u03cd\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03ac\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9<\/td>\n-\u03ce\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03b5\u03af\u03c2<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03b5\u03af\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03ac\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9<\/td>\n-\u03ac\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03b5\u03af<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03b5\u03af\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03ac\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/td>\n-\u03ac\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03bf\u03cd\u03bc\u03b5<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03bf\u03cd\u03bc\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03cc\u03bc\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/td>\n-\u03cc\u03bc\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03b5\u03af\u03c4\u03b5<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03b5\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03ac\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/td>\n-\u03ac\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-\u03bf\u03cd\u03bd(\u03b5)<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03bf\u03cd\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/strong><\/td>\n-\u03bf\u03cd\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/td>\n-\u03c4\u03ce\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The 2nd and 3rd version of the passive voice in the second class contains some typical exceptions, such as verbs derived directly from Ancient Greek roots. Do not worry \u2013 you will learn them as you go along.<\/p>\n

You can also use our guide<\/a> to learn more about Greek verb conjugation in general.<\/p>\n

Verbs \u0395\u03af\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9 (to \u0392e) and \u0388\u03c7\u03c9 (to Have)<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s start with the basics: the verbs to have<\/strong> and to be<\/strong>. The verb \u03ad\u03c7\u03c9<\/strong> (to have<\/em>) also functions as an auxiliary verb, and it is particularly useful in the perfect tenses.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u0395\u03af\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9<\/strong>\u201d \/\u2019ime\/ is one of the most common irregular verbs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u0395\u03af\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9 (Present Tense)<\/strong><\/td>\nTo Be (Present Tense)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0395\u03b3\u03ce \u03b5\u03af\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nI am<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0395\u03c3\u03cd \u03b5\u03af\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nYou are<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03cc\u03c2\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03ae\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03cc \u03b5\u03af\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nHe\/She\/It is<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0395\u03bc\u03b5\u03af\u03c2 \u03b5\u03af\u03bc\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nWe are<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0395\u03c3\u03b5\u03af\u03c2 \u03b5\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nYou are<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03bf\u03af\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03ad\u03c2\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03ac \u03b5\u03af\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nThey are<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201c\u0388\u03c7\u03c9<\/strong>\u201d \/\u2019e\u03c7o\/ is a regular verb, following the rules of Group A verbs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u0388\u03c7\u03c9 (Present Tense)<\/strong><\/td>\nTo Have (Present Tense)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0395\u03b3\u03ce \u03ad\u03c7\u03c9<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nI have<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0395\u03c3\u03cd \u03ad\u03c7\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nYou have<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03cc\u03c2\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03ae\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03cc \u03ad\u03c7\u03b5\u03b9<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nHe\/She\/It has<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0395\u03bc\u03b5\u03af\u03c2 \u03ad\u03c7\u03bf\u03c5\u03bc\u03b5<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nWe have<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0395\u03c3\u03b5\u03af\u03c2 \u03ad\u03c7\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nYou have<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03bf\u03af\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03ad\u03c2\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03ac \u03ad\u03c7\u03bf\u03c5\u03bd(\u03b5)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nThey have<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Greek Present Tense<\/h2>\n

The present tense in Greek (\u0395\u03bd\u03b5\u03c3\u03c4\u03ce\u03c4\u03b1\u03c2 \/ene\u2019stotas\/) is the simplest tense. It\u2019s even easier than the respective English tense, because it lacks a simple and a progressive version. In Greek, whether you want to say I play<\/strong> or I am playing<\/strong>, you will use \u201c\u03b5\u03b3\u03ce \u03c0\u03b1\u03af\u03b6\u03c9<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n

We use the present tense to talk about something happening at the moment.<\/p>\n

Greek Present Tense Verb Endings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nGroup A Active<\/td>\nGroup A Passive<\/td>\nGroup B Active<\/td>\nGroup B Passive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0395\u03b3\u03ce<\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03bd-\u03c9<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03bd-\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03ce<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03b9\u03ad\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0395\u03c3\u03cd<\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03bd-\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03bd-\u03b5\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03ac\u03c2<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03b9\u03ad\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03cc\u03c2\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03ae\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03cc<\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03bd-\u03b5\u03b9<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03bd-\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03ac(\u03b5\u03b9)<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03b9\u03ad\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0395\u03bc\u03b5\u03af\u03c2<\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03bd-\u03bf\u03c5\u03bc\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03c5\u03bd-\u03cc\u03bc\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03ac\u03bc\u03b5\/\u03bf\u03cd\u03bc\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03b9\u03cc\u03bc\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0395\u03c3\u03b5\u03af\u03c2<\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03bd-\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03bd-\u03b5\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03ac\u03c4\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03b9\u03ad\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03bf\u03af\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03ad\u03c2\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03ac<\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03bd-\u03bf\u03c5\u03bd(\u03b5)<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03bd-\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03bf\u03cd\u03bd\/\u03ac\u03bd\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03b9\u03bf\u03cd\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Greek Past Tense<\/h2>\n

There are two past tenses in Greek: the Past Continuous<\/strong> (\u03a0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03cc\u03c2 \/paratati\u2019cos\/) and the Simple Past<\/strong> (\u0391\u03cc\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2 \/a\u2019oristos\/), also known as the Greek aorist tense. Both tenses are similar to their counterparts in English.<\/p>\n

The Greek tenses of the past are also straightforward. They both refer to the past, they are commonly used, and they are easily distinguished due to their distinct Greek verb morphology.<\/p>\n

Characteristics of Greek Tenses of the Past<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Three things separate these two tenses from the present tense:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The augment;<\/li>\n
  2. The suffixes (endings);<\/li>\n
  3. The perfective aspect stem.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    I know it sounds all Greek to you, but bear with me as we go over the verb endings.<\/p>\n

    Greek Past Continuous Tense Verb Endings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    <\/td>\nGroup A Active<\/td>\nGroup A Passive<\/td>\nGroup B Active<\/td>\nGroup B Passive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0395\u03b3\u03ce<\/td>\n\u03ad<\/span>-\u03bb\u03c5\u03bd-\u03b1<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03c5\u03bd-\u03cc\u03bc\u03bf\u03c5\u03bd<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03bf\u03cd\u03c3\u03b1<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03b9\u03cc\u03bc\u03bf\u03c5\u03bd<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0395\u03c3\u03cd<\/td>\n\u03ad<\/span>-\u03bb\u03c5\u03bd-\u03b5\u03c2<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03c5\u03bd-\u03cc\u03c3\u03bf\u03c5\u03bd<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03bf\u03cd\u03c3\u03b5\u03c2<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03b9\u03cc\u03c3\u03bf\u03c5\u03bd<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03cc\u03c2\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03ae\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03cc<\/td>\n\u03ad<\/span>-\u03bb\u03c5\u03bd-\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03c5\u03bd-\u03cc\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03bf\u03cd\u03c3\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03b9\u03cc\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0395\u03bc\u03b5\u03af\u03c2<\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03bd-\u03b1\u03bc\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03c5\u03bd-\u03cc\u03bc\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03bf\u03cd\u03c3\u03b1\u03bc\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03b9\u03cc\u03bc\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0395\u03c3\u03b5\u03af\u03c2<\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03bd-\u03b1\u03c4\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03c5\u03bd-\u03cc\u03c3\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03bf\u03cd\u03c3\u03b1\u03c4\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03b9\u03cc\u03c3\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03bf\u03af\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03ad\u03c2\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03ac<\/td>\n\u03ad<\/span>-\u03bb\u03c5\u03bd-\u03b1\u03bd<\/span> \/ \u03bb\u03cd\u03bd-\u03b1\u03bd\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03bd-\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd<\/span> \/ \u03bb\u03c5\u03bd-\u03cc\u03bd\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03bf\u03cd\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd(\u03b5)<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03b9\u03cc\u03bd\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Greek Past Simple Tense Verb Endings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    <\/td>\nGroup A Active<\/td>\nGroup A Passive<\/td>\nGroup B Active<\/td>\nGroup B Passive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0395\u03b3\u03ce<\/td>\n\u03ad<\/span>-\u03bb\u03c5\u03c3-\u03b1<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03b8-\u03b7\u03ba\u03b1<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03ac\u03c0-\u03b7\u03c3\u03b1<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0\u03ae\u03b8-\u03b7\u03ba\u03b1<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0395\u03c3\u03cd<\/td>\n\u03ad<\/span>-\u03bb\u03c5\u03c3-\u03b5\u03c2<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03b8-\u03b7\u03ba\u03b5\u03c2<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03ac\u03c0-\u03b7\u03c3\u03b5\u03c2<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0\u03ae\u03b8-\u03b7\u03ba\u03b5\u03c2<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03cc\u03c2\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03ae\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03cc<\/td>\n\u03ad<\/span>-\u03bb\u03c5\u03c3-\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03b8-\u03b7\u03ba\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03ac\u03c0-\u03b7\u03c3\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0\u03ae\u03b8-\u03b7\u03ba\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0395\u03bc\u03b5\u03af\u03c2<\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03c3-\u03b1\u03bc\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03c5\u03b8-\u03ae\u03ba\u03b1\u03bc\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03ae\u03c3\u03b1\u03bc\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0\u03b7\u03b8-\u03ae\u03ba\u03b1\u03bc\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0395\u03c3\u03b5\u03af\u03c2<\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03c3-\u03b1\u03c4\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03c5\u03b8-\u03ae\u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0-\u03ae\u03c3\u03b1\u03c4\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0\u03b7\u03b8-\u03ae\u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03bf\u03af\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03ad\u03c2\/\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03ac<\/td>\n\u03ad<\/span>-\u03bb\u03c5\u03c3-\u03b1\u03bd<\/span> \/ \u03bb\u03cd\u03c3-\u03b1\u03bd\u03b5<\/span><\/td>\n\u03bb\u03cd\u03b8-\u03b7\u03ba\u03b1\u03bd(\u03b5)<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03ac\u03c0-\u03b7\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd(\u03b5)<\/span><\/td>\n\u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0\u03ae\u03b8-\u03b7\u03ba\u03b1\u03bd(\u03b5)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Aside from the relatively simple suffixes, you may have noticed some differences in the verbs’ roots and prefixes. These are the augment<\/strong> and the perfective<\/strong> aspect<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    The Augment<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    The augment<\/strong> is a small syllable added before some of the verb’s past forms. It is not only simple to use, but it also provides a quick way to determine the tense of the verb. Its most common form is the letter \u201c\u03b5-\u201c (e)<\/strong>, added in front of the verb.<\/p>\n

    Perfective Aspect<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    In terms of the perfective, the role of the aspect in Greek tenses is undeniably important. What I previously referred to as “perfective aspect<\/strong> ” is simply a way of indicating that a verb is not describing a continuous situation, but rather something that occurred only once or for a short period of time. This includes the simple past and simple future tenses.<\/p>\n

    Note: It is also known as “past stem.” It is simpler, but it is incorrect. That is why we will continue to refer to it as the perfective aspect.<\/em><\/p>\n

    The first way to identify the perfective, is the letter \u201c\u03c3\u201d (s)<\/strong> added between the stem and the suffix. For instance, the verb \u201c\u03b9\u03b4\u03c1\u03cd\u03c9\u201d (to found, to establish) will become \u00ab\u03b9\u03b4\u03c1\u03cd\u03c3\u03c9\u00bb.<\/p>\n