lesson 4 Flashcards
(19 cards)
What makes a contract verb?
A contract verb is a verb whose stem ends in a vowel. The three types of conjugation are based on the three vowels which end the stem of the verb - a, e and o.
The reason it is contracted is because the vowels began to blend with the endings to produce new endings.
A contract?
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How are adverbs formed?
By substituting ς for v at the end of the masculine genitive plural form of the adjective.
What is the function of an adverb?
to tell you how, or in which way, the action of a verb is done.
O contract?
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What is linking?
the verb ‘to be’ can be used as a linking verb in two ways
When the subject is linked to an adjective, the adjective describes the subject = the man is good.
When the subject is linked to a noun, it renames the subject = the man is captain.
in both instances the complement and subject are put into the nominative case, however the second example uses the definitive article to mark the subject.
E contract?
/
What is meant by ‘complement’?
A complement is a word that completes the meaning of a sentence, usually by giving more information about the subject or the object. “The man is a teacher.”
Subject: The man
Verb: is
Complement: a teacher (renames the subject)
Basically, the complement is what the subject of the sentence ‘is’.
The complement usually does not have a definitive article, so the subject is marked with it instead.
What is ellipsis?
Ellipsis is when the sentence lacks the verb to be, therefore if a sentence does not have a verb, try the verb to be.
What is meant by ‘before and after’ ?
That in the sentence
Ο ῥαψῳδὸς ἐστὶν Ἴων
the verb to be in the middle of two nominatives, one subject, marked by the definitive article and the complement after the verb (although word order is flexible).
Since the adjective is describing the subject, it goes in the nominative case agreeing with the subject. To put it simply - the verb ‘to be’ takes the same case before and after, which is usually the nominative.
Adjectives as nouns
Neuter Plural adjectives can be used like nouns.
πολλά as a neuter plural adjective takes on the meaning of a noun, meaning ‘many things’.
This use of the neuter plural of an adjective, especially when linked with the definitive article, is very common, e.g
τὰ ναυτικά lit. the naval-things, i.e. ‘naval matters’
τὰ στρατιωτικά lit. the military-things, ‘military matters’
The neuter singular can be used as an abstract noun.
when the complement is an adjective…
it describes the subject (what the subject is like). The adjective is usually in the nominative case, just like the subject.
When the complement is a noun…
it renames the subject, essentially saying “this is what the subject is” or “this is who the subject is.”
use of the masculine and feminine definitive article
Η καλή = the beautiful women
what is the I,P or E rule ?
if an adjective ends in -oς in the masculine nominative singular, and its stem ends in I, P or E = it will follow the pattern of ημετερος. For example, the feminine nominative singular of υμετερος is υμετέρα.
te and kai
the combination of these particles link two words or phrases together “both and’ etc. Note the position of ‘te’ in these phrases, it goes after the first example while kai goes before the second item. Remember that te is an enclitic.
Decline ειμι and οιδα
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No complementary definitive article
In greek, the complement is usually not marked with a definitive article. With the verb to be, the definitive article will go with the subject while the complement does not have one.
Omission of verb to be
Quite often the verb to be is omitted from a sentence (a feature called ellipse) - if there is a sentence without a verb, try the verb ‘to be’.
