13α Verb Forms: The Imperfect or Past Progressive Tense

Question 1

The Imperfect (Past Tense)

a. Aspect

The imperfect can also be translated with phrases such as used to . . . , was/were accustomed to . . . of repeated or habitual action in past time, e.g.:
οἱ βόες ἔμενον ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ.
The oxen used to stay/were accustomed to staying in the field.

Answer 1

1. The imperfect tense usually indicates continuous or incomplete action in past time:

ἐπεὶ προσεχωροῦμεν, οἱ φύλακες τὰς πύλᾱς ἔκλειον.

When we were approaching, the guards were shutting the gates.

Compare the aorist:
ἐπεὶ εἰσήλθομεν, οἱ φύλακες τὰς πύλᾱς ἔκλεισαν.
When we went in, the guards shut the gates.

Question 2

The Imperfect (Past Tense)

b. Aspect

Note that the aorist may also be used with certain verbs to indicate the entrance into a state or the beginning of an action:

ἡ Μυρρίνη ἐδάκρῡσε, Myrrhine burst into tears.

This is called the ingressive aorist, from the Latin verb ingredior, “I begin.”

Answer 2

2. The imperfect may also be used to indicate the beginning of an action in past time:

εἰς τὸν ἀγρὸν εἰσελθόντες ἐπόνουν.

Entering the field, they began to work.

This is called the inchoative or inceptive imperfect, from the Latin verbs incohō and incipiō, “I begin.”

Question 3

The Imperfect (Past Tense)

c. Aspect

This use is called the conative imperfect from the Latin verb cōnor, “I try, attempt.”

Answer 3

3. The imperfect may also be used to indicate an attempt to do something in past time:

τὸν πατέρα ἐπείθομεν οἴκαδε ἐπανελθεῖν· ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν.

We tried to persuade father to return home, but he did not want to.

Contrast the aorist:
τὸν πατέρα ἐπείσαμεν
We persuaded father.

Question 4

Regular Verbs

Imperfect Active

Answer 4

Question 5

Regular Verbs

Imperfect Middle

Answer 5

Question 6

Contract Verbs

Active

Answer 6

Question 7

Contract Verbs

Middle

Answer 7

Question 8

Irregular Verbs

Imperfect of:
εἰμί, I am

Answer 8

Question 9

Irregular Verbs

Imperfect of:
εἶμι [εἰ-/ἰ-], I will go

future of ἔρχομαι

Answer 9

Present: ἔρχομαι, I come; I go
Impererfect: ᾖα or ᾔειν, I was coming; I was going
Future: εἶμι, I will come; I will go
Aorist: ἦλθον, I came; I went

Question 10

Irregular Augment

1. ἕλκω, I drag
2. ἕπομαι, I follow
3. ἐργάζομαι, I work; I accomplish
4. ἔχω, I have; I hold
5. ὁράω, I see

Answer 10

Imperfect:
1. εἷλκον
2. εἱπόμην
3. ἠργαζόμην or εἰργαζόμην
4. εἶχον
5. ἑώρων (double augment)