26: Infinitives

Question 1

δεῖ

Answer 1

it is necessary, one must (impersonal verb from δἐω)

Question 2

δοκέω

Answer 2

I seem to; I suppose, think

Question 3

δύναμαι

Answer 3

I am able, I can

Question 4

θέλω

Answer 4

I want to, wish

Question 5

μέλλω

Answer 5

I am about to, it is destined

Question 6

θέλημα, θελήματος, τό

Answer 6

will, wish

Question 7

ἱμάτιον, τό

Answer 7

clothing, coat

Question 8

πλοῖον, τό

Answer 8

boat

Question 9

πρὀ

Answer 9

+ gen., before, beforehand; in front of

Question 10

ὥστε

Answer 10

so that, with the result that; so as

Question 11

δέω

Answer 11

I bind

Question 12

Recite Present Infinitives

Answer 12

Question 13

Recite First Aorist Infinitives

Answer 13

Question 14

What are some characteristics of Perfect Tense Infinitives?

Answer 14

1. reduplicated stem
2. middle/passive/deponent drops the variable vowel
   (ex. ἀπολύω > ἀπολελύσθαι

γινώσκω > ἑγνωκέναι, κτλ.)

Question 15

How are the infinitive endings attached to the irregular verb stems? (Contract, second aorists, liquid verbs)

Answer 15

They are attached to their modified stems, the same way as it is done in participle, subjunctive, and imperative forms.

Question 16

How is the subject of an infinitive expressed?

Answer 16

It is expressed in the accusative case.

(ex. δεῖ με καὶ ᾽Ρώμην ἰδεῖν, “It is necessary that I see Rome also”)

Question 17

Because infinitives are verbal nouns, what are the different ways an infinitive can function?

Answer 17

it can function as the subject, predicate or the direct object of a verb.

Question 18

What article generally accompanies infinitives?

Answer 18

τό

The Greeks regarded infinitives as neuter singular.

When this happens it is called an articular infinitive.

Question 19

What are the main five uses of Greek infinitives?

Answer 19

1. Complementary
2. Purpose Clause
3. Result Clause
4. With Prepositions

• Contemporaneus Time (following ἐν τῷ)
• Causal (following διὰ τό)

5. Following ἐγένετο

Question 20

What is the Complementary use of the Infinitive?

Answer 20

Completes the idea of another verb.

(ex. ἤρξατο ὁ Ἰησοῦς κηρύσσειν, “Jesus began to preach.”)

Question 21

What is the Purpose Clause use of the Infinitive?

Answer 21

To express purpose in different ways.

1. With a simple greek infinitive
   (ex. “I came to class to learn Greek”)
2. With a genitive article construction
   (ex. τοῦ γνῶναι αὐτόν, “In order that I may know him”)
3. With a prepositional construction (εἰς or πρός)
   (ex. εἰς τό εἶναι αυτόν, “In order that he may be…”)

Question 22

What is the Result Clause use of the Infinitive?

Answer 22

To express result, using an infinitive after ὥστε (“so that”, “so as”)

(ex. ὥστε γενέσθαι, “so that (as a result) you have become…”)

Question 23

What is the difference between a Purpose clause and a Result clause?

Answer 23

The purpose clause speaks about an intended result, while the result clause speaks about the actual result.

Question 24

What is the Preposition use of Infinitives?

Answer 24

An infinitive may be used as the object of a preposition (this would make the infinitive articular.) It is expressed in two ways:

1. Contemporaneous Time (following ἐν τῷ)
   (ex. ἐν δὲ τῷ πορεύεσθαι αὐτούς, “and while they were traveling”)
2. Causal (following διὰ τό)
   (ex. Ἰησοῦς οὐκ ἐπίστευεν αὐτόν αὐτοῖς διὰ τὸ αὐτόν γινὠσκειν πάντας, Jesus did not entrust himself to them, because he knew them all.

Question 25

What is the Following ἐγένετο use of Infinitives?

Answer 25

In Luke and Acts, the author likes to introduce an episode with ἐγένετο δέ or καί ἐγένετο usually followed by ἐν τῷ λύειν (or other verb).

Usually translated with “Then it came to pass that…”

Question 26

Since some infinitives have only one form, how do you know which tense to choose?

Answer 26

Only context will decide how to translate the given infinitive.