Grammar

Question 1

Is there an indefinite article in Greek?

Answer 1

No

‘a’ is indicated by the lack of an article. e.g. δουλος = a slave

Question 2

What is the definite article in Greek? Give all three genders in nom. and acc.

Answer 2

ὁ
τον

ἡ
την

το
το

Question 3

List the 3 ways the negative can be formed in Greek.

Answer 3

οὐ
οὐκ
οὐχ

Question 4

When is οὐκ used?

Answer 4

When the next word begins with a soft-breath vowel.

Question 5

When is οὐχ used?

Answer 5

When the next word begins with an aspirated vowel.

Question 6

When is οὐ used?

Answer 6

When the next word begins with a consonant.

Question 7

Recite the present tense of ακουω

Answer 7

ακου-ω
ακου-εις 
ακου-ει
ακου-ομεν
ακου-ετε
ακου-ουσι(ν)

Question 8

When would ‘they run’ have a ‘ν’ at the end of it, i.e. τρεχουσιν.

Give two instances.

Answer 8

1. When the next word begins with a vowel

2. At the end of the sentence.

Question 9

Prepositions indicating motion towards take which case?

Answer 9

Accusative

just like in Latin

Question 10

When are capital letters used?

Answer 10

For proper names only.

Not, as in English, at the start of sentences.

Question 11

What is the pl. nom. and acc. of ἡ τιμη

Answer 11

nom. pl.
αἱ τιμαι

acc. pl.
τας τιμας

Question 12

What is the pl. nom. and acc. of ὁ λογος

Answer 12

nom. pl.
οἱ λογοι

acc. pl.
τους λογους

Question 13

Where does τε from τε… και sit in terms of word order?

Answer 13

Second word in the phrase: it comes after the first (or only) word which refers to the first of the two things being joined.

e.g.

ὁ τε δουλος και ὁ ξενος
both the slave and the stranger

or

δουλος τε και ξενος
both a slave and a stranger

Question 14

When is it usual for a 1st decl. fem noun to end in α instead of η?

Answer 14

When the stem of the noun ends in ι or ρ.

e.g.

ἀγορ-α
ἐκκλησι-α

Note that there are some exceptions to this rule e.g.
θεα and κωρη

Question 15

When is the definite article used in Greek?

Answer 15

To signify the/those particular ones - like English.

To signify an abstract concept, such as wisdom, time, honour, victory etc. - unlike English.

To signify that you are speaking about a general class, e.g. slaves are not citizens, the general class of slaves is being talked about so οἱ δουλοι would be used here. - unlike English.

Question 16

In what case is time (how long) expressed?

NB. In English we would say ‘for five hours’ but no word for is needed in Greek.

Answer 16

Accusative. Same as in Latin.

So ‘for five hours’ = ‘πεντε ὡρας’

Question 17

Which is the case of possession and definition?

Answer 17

The genitive is the case of possession and definition, often translated of: e.g. the house of the general
= the general’s house.

It is also has the idea of separation
(going away from), and is used with prepositions indicating this such as ἀπο and ἐκ.

Question 18

Which is the case of separation (going away from)?

Answer 18

The genitive is the case of separation

(going away from), and is used with prepositions indicating this such as ἀπο and ἐκ.

Question 19

What is a genitive sandwhich?

Answer 19

A description, specifying which person or thing the main noun belongs to, is sandwiched inside the article-noun combination. An important and distinctive feature of Greek grammar. The description is often a genitive phrase (with its own article):

e.g.
ἡ του στρατηγου οἰκια

literally
the of-the-general house

i.e.
the general’s house