Greek Verbs

Finite Verbs: Used in main clauses as well as subordinate clauses

Moods/Modes:

Mood/Mode Significance Number of Tenses English Example

Indicative
Unmarked for Significance
7
I go to town
If I was to go

Optative
Potential or Wish (Rarely Used in NT)
5
No optative in English

Subjunctive
Hypothetical
3
If I were to go*

Imperative
Commands/Requests
3
Go to town**

*Often translated into English using modals: may, might, should, would; for 1st person: let us
**Third person imperative often translated "Let him/her ..." The sense is "must," not "allow"

Mood/Mode	Significance	Number of Tenses	English Example
Indicative	Unmarked for Significance	7	I go to town If I was to go
Optative	Potential or Wish (Rarely Used in NT)	5	No optative in English
Subjunctive	Hypothetical	3	If I were to go*
Imperative	Commands/Requests	3	Go to town**

Non-Finite Verbs: Used only in subordinate clauses; no moods or modes

Form
Number of Tenses
English Example

Participle
5
going

Infinitive
3
to go

Form	Number of Tenses	English Example
Participle	5	going
Infinitive	3	to go

Voice

Actor as Subject Patient as Subject

Normal Active
Ex.: "John baptized" Passive
Ex.: "John was baptized"

Reflexive Middle
Ex.: "John baptized himself" Middle
Ex.: "John had himself baptized"

Greek Verb Tense

http://www.bterry.com/greek/verbs.htm hosted at http://bible.ovc.edu/terry/greek/verbs.htm

	Actor as Subject	Patient as Subject
Normal	Active Ex.: "John baptized"	Passive Ex.: "John was baptized"
Reflexive	Middle Ex.: "John baptized himself"	Middle Ex.: "John had himself baptized"