1. The Verb “To Be” and Further Uses of the Article
Copyright , Scott Gray

2. Introduction to “To Be”
The most common way to express existence in almost all languages
Usually the most irregular too!
I am, you are, He is
The object is not accusative, but a noun or pronoun in the predicate position: predicate nominative
Only 3 Greek tenses are used: present, imperfect, future
Copyright , Scott Gray

3. ei0mi/ e0sme/n ei] e0ste/ e0sti/ (n) ei0si/ (n) PAI “To Be” Paradigm
Singular
Plural
1st Person
ei0mi/
e0sme/n
2nd Person
ei]
e0ste/
3rd Person
e0sti/ (n)
ei0si/ (n)
Copyright , Scott Gray

4. h1mhn h]men h]j h]te h]n h]san IAI “To Be” Paradigm Singular Plural
1st Person
h1mhn
h]men
2nd Person
h]j
h]te
3rd Person
h]n
h]san
Copyright , Scott Gray

5. e1somai e0so/meqa e1sh| e1sesqe e1stai e1sontai FMI “To Be” Paradigm
Singular
Plural
1st Person
e1somai
e0so/meqa
2nd Person
e1sh|
e1sesqe
3rd Person
e1stai
e1sontai
Copyright , Scott Gray

6. “To Be” Verb Notes
Normally, present forms are enclitic: the previous word carries the accent
Imperfect forms are irregular (some secondary, some deponent)
Future forms are deponent, some irregularity
Copyright , Scott Gray

7. o9 apostolo/j e0sti dou=loj dida/skalo/j ei0mi
Examples
o9 apostolo/j e0sti dou=loj
The apostle is a slave
dida/skalo/j ei0mi
I am a teacher
h9 parqe/noj e0sti\ kalh/
The maiden is beautiful
Copyright , Scott Gray

8. h9 parqe/noj kalh Examples cont. The maiden is beautiful
Greek does not need to have an explicit “to be” verb.
Copyright , Scott Gray

9. Further Uses of the Article
Make a noun out of an adjective:
oi9 nekroi\ e0n toi=j mnamei/oij ei0si/n
The dead (people) are in the tombs
a0po/stoloi pra/ssousi ta\ kala/
Apostles do the (things) that are noble
The adjective is put in the attributive position and the noun is assumed
Copyright , Scott Gray

10. Further Uses of the Article, cont.
Relates a prepositional phrase to a noun, not a verb: it functions adjectivally
o9 i3ppoj o9 e0n th=| kw&mh| e0sti\ mikro/j
The horse (that is) in the village is small
Treats prepositional phrase as an adjective and puts it into the attributive position.
Copyright , Scott Gray

11. Further Uses of the Article, cont.
Turns a prepositional phrase into a noun
oi9 e0n th=| kw&mh| ei]don me
The (people) in the village saw me
Copyright , Scott Gray