{"id":85,"date":"2016-03-17T20:31:07","date_gmt":"2016-03-17T20:31:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.publiconsulting.com\/wordpress\/ancientgreek\/chapter\/25-contract-verbs\/"},"modified":"2018-01-19T11:35:23","modified_gmt":"2018-01-19T11:35:23","slug":"25-contract-verbs","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/www.publiconsulting.com\/wordpress\/ancientgreek\/chapter\/25-contract-verbs\/","title":{"rendered":"Contract Verbs"},"content":{"raw":"\n[caption id=\"attachment_774\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]\"2009.04.0459\"<\/a> Fragment of a dedicatory inscription of the late 4th or 5th c. A.D. Two sets of smaller letters (\u03a4\u03a9\u039d and \u03a1\u0391) can be found between lines 1 and 2. These are corrections to the original inscription. Athenian Agora Excavations.[\/caption]\n
\n

Contract Verbs<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The rules of vowel contraction operate in verbs when the VERB STEM ends in one of three short vowels: -\u03b1<\/span>, -\u03b5<\/span> or -\u03bf<\/span>. In these cases, the final vowel of the stem contracts with the THEMATIC VOWEL of -\u03c9<\/span> verbs. Verbs that exhibit these contractions are called CONTRACT VERBS. Since -\u03bc\u03b9<\/span> verbs do not conjugate with a thematic vowel, they do not contract.<\/p>\n

There are three types of contract verbs: \u03ad\u03c9<\/span>, \u03ac\u03c9<\/span>, and \u03cc\u03c9<\/span>. To inform readers that a verb is a CONTRACT VERB, its FIRST PRINCIPAL PART is always listed in its uncontracted form in a lexicon. For example:<\/p>\n

\u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03ad\u03c9<\/span> grab
\n\u1f10\u03c1\u03c9\u03c4\u03ac\u03c9<\/span> ask
\n\u03b4\u03b7\u03bb\u03cc\u03c9<\/span> show<\/p>\n

As we will see, contract verbs follow predictable rules for contractions and accents, and conjugate in a stable fashion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u03ad\u03c9<\/span> Contract Verbs<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Present Indicative Active<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most common type of contract verbs are those whose verb stems end in -\u03b5<\/span>. For these verbs, when -\u03b5<\/span> contracts with a long vowel or diphthong, the long sound simply absorbs the -\u03b5<\/span>. Otherwise, the contractions are just as we have already learned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u03b5<\/span> + \u03c9<\/span> = \u03c9<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u03b5<\/span> + \u03b5\u03b9<\/span> = \u03b5\u03b9<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u03b5<\/span> + \u03bf<\/span> = \u03bf\u03c5<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u03b5<\/span> + \u03b5<\/span> = \u03b5\u03b9<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u03b5<\/span> + \u03bf\u03c5<\/span> = \u03bf\u03c5<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Perhaps the only trick to contract verbs is the accent. There are two steps. First, following the RECESSIVE ACCENT rules, place the accent on the UNCONTRACTED verb form. Second, follow the accent rules that apply to vowel contractions, learned earlier (e.g. \u03b5<\/span> + \u03cc<\/span> = \u03bf\u03cd<\/span>; \u03ad <\/span>+ \u1f78 <\/span>= \u03bf\u1fe6<\/span>). These two steps together determine the final form and placement of the accent for a given verb.<\/p>\n

So, putting it all together, the conjugation of an \u03ad\u03c9<\/span> verb in the Present, Indicative, Active is as follows.<\/p>\n

The Present Indicative Active of \u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03ad\u03c9 <\/span>(cf. S 385; GPH p. 110).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

(\u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03ad\u03c9<\/span> \u2192) \u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u1ff6<\/span>  I grab<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(\u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03ad\u03bf\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd<\/span> \u2192) \u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03bf\u1fe6\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd<\/span> we grab<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

(\u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03ad\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2<\/span> \u2192) \u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c2<\/span> you grab<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(\u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03ad\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5<\/span> \u2192) \u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c4\u03b5<\/span> you all grab<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

(\u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03ad\u03b5\u03b9<\/span> \u2192) \u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03b5\u1fd6<\/span> (s)he, it grabs<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(\u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03ad\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9<\/span> \u2192) \u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c3\u03b9<\/span> they grab<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Present infinitive active: (\u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03ad\u03b5\u03b9\u03bd<\/span> \u2192) \u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03b5\u1fd6\u03bd<\/span><\/p>\n

The fact that contract verbs receive their accent in their uncontracted form suggests that all of these verbs were originally pronounced in their uncontracted form by Greek speakers. While Classical Athenian Greek exhibits gradual changes in pronunciation that resulted in the contraction of all verb stems ending in -\u03b1<\/span>, -\u03b5<\/span> or -\u03bf <\/span>with thematic vowels, this is not true of all Greek dialects. Homer and Herodotus, for example, often leave some forms uncontracted. Learning and understanding the uncontracted forms not only allows for better mastery and recognition of contract verbs and their accents in Classical and Koine works, but allows for easier recognition of these same verbs in authors who compose in other dialects.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Disyllabic -\u03ad\u03c9<\/span> Verbs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Verbs in -\u03ad\u03c9<\/span> with a disyllabic first person singular offer a slight variation from all other -\u03ad\u03c9 <\/span>verbs. They DO NOT contract the -\u03b5<\/span> with either \u03bf<\/span> or \u03c9<\/span>. They DO contract -\u03b5<\/span> with \u03b5<\/span> and \u03b5\u03b9<\/span>. There are only two common disyllabic -\u03ad\u03c9<\/span> verbs in Greek: \u03b4\u03ad\u03c9 <\/span>\"need, want, lack\" and \u03c0\u03bb\u03ad\u03c9 <\/span>\"sail.\" Note the following (S 397; GPH p. 115):<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

(\u03c0\u03bb\u03ad\u03c9<\/span> \u2192) \u03c0\u03bb\u03ad\u03c9<\/span>  I sail<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(\u03c0\u03bb\u03ad\u03bf\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd<\/span> \u2192) \u03c0\u03bb\u03ad\u03bf\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd<\/span> we sail<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

(\u03c0\u03bb\u03ad\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2<\/span> \u2192) \u03c0\u03bb\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c2<\/span> you sail<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(\u03c0\u03bb\u03ad\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5<\/span> \u2192) \u03c0\u03bb\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c4\u03b5<\/span> you all sail<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

(\u03c0\u03bb\u03ad\u03b5\u03b9<\/span> \u2192) \u03c0\u03bb\u03b5\u1fd6<\/span> (s)he, it sails<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(\u03c0\u03bb\u03ad\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9<\/span> \u2192) \u03c0\u03bb\u03ad\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9<\/span> they sail<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Present infinitive active: (\u03c0\u03bb\u03ad\u03b5\u03b9\u03bd<\/span> \u2192) \u03c0\u03bb\u03b5\u1fd6\u03bd<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Future Indicative Active<\/strong><\/p>\n

The FUTURE TENSE of most \u03ad\u03c9<\/span> verbs is formed regularly, with one slight change. When the tense marker \u03c3<\/span> is added to a verb stem ending in \u03b5<\/span>, the \u03b5<\/span> lengthens to \u03b7<\/span>. Most (not all!) \u03ad\u03c9<\/span> verbs form their future active by adding -\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> to the lengthened vowel, resulting in the ending -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span>. The future tense then conjugates regularly, using -\u03c9<\/span> personal and infinitive endings.<\/p>\n

Note the PRINCIPAL PARTS of the following \u03ad\u03c9<\/span> verbs.<\/p>\n

\u1f00\u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> commit injustice<\/p>\n

\u03b1\u1f31\u03c1\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> grab<\/p>\n

\u1f00\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9\u03c1\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> raise up<\/p>\n

\u1f00\u03c6\u03b1\u03b9\u03c1\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> take from, take away<\/p>\n

\u03b1\u1f30\u03c4\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> beg, ask<\/p>\n

\u03b2\u03bf\u03b7\u03b8\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> help<\/p>\n

\u03b4\u03ad\u03c9 \u03b4\u03b5\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> lack, miss, be in need of (+ gen.) (Note that the -\u03b5<\/span> of \u03b4\u03ad\u03c9<\/span> remains when forming its future tense!)<\/p>\n

\u03b4\u03bf\u03ba\u03ad\u03c9, \u03b4\u03cc\u03be\u03c9<\/span> think, suppose; seem (Note the future tense for this verb!)<\/p>\n

\u03b6\u03b7\u03c4\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> seek<\/p>\n

\u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b7\u03b3\u03bf\u03c1\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> accuse<\/p>\n

\u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03b9\u03ba\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> inhabit, settle<\/p>\n

\u03ba\u03b9\u03bd\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> move<\/p>\n

\u03ba\u03c1\u03b1\u03c4\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> rule over<\/p>\n

\u03bb\u03b1\u03bb\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> talk, babble<\/p>\n

\u03bc\u03b9\u03c3\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> hate<\/p>\n

\u03bf\u1f30\u03ba\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> dwell<\/p>\n

\u03bf\u1f30\u03ba\u03bf\u03b4\u03bf\u03bc\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> build<\/p>\n

\u1f41\u03bc\u03bf\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> agree<\/p>\n

\u03c0\u03bb\u03ad\u03c9<\/span> sail (Note: the future tense of \u03c0\u03bb\u03ad\u03c9<\/span> is introduced in a later lesson).<\/p>\n

\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> do, make<\/p>\n

\u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03b5\u03bc\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> make war<\/p>\n

\u03c6\u03bf\u03b2\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> frighten<\/p>\n

\u03c6\u03c1\u03bf\u03bd\u03ad\u03c9 -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> think<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The following verbs are not \u03ad\u03c9<\/span> verbs, but their future tense also ends in -\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span>.<\/p>\n

\u1f10\u03b8\u03ad\u03bb\u03c9, \u1f10\u03b8\u03b5\u03bb\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> want (alternative form: \u03b8\u03ad\u03bb\u03c9, \u03b8\u03b5\u03bb\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span>)<\/p>\n

\u03bc\u03ad\u03bb\u03bb\u03c9, \u03bc\u03b5\u03bb\u03bb\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> intend, be about to, be going to<\/p>\n

\u03b5\u1f51\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03ba\u03c9, \u03b5\u1f51\u03c1\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> find<\/p>\n

\u03bc\u03b9\u03bc\u03bd\u03ae\u03c3\u03ba\u03c9, \u03bc\u03bd\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> remind<\/p>\n

\u03c7\u03b1\u03af\u03c1\u03c9, \u03c7\u03b1\u03b9\u03c1\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> be happy, say hello<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n
\n

\u03b4\u03b5\u1fd6<\/span><\/p>\n

While \u03b4\u03b5\u1fd6<\/span> can mean (s)he\/it lacks<\/em>, this form is frequently used IMPERSONALLY in the 3rd person singular to mean it is necessary<\/em>. This construction is often complemented with an infinitive. For example:<\/p>\n