greek grammar guide

7/25/2019 Greek Grammar Guide

1/27

16 December 2010 1 Greek

Greek Grammar GuideSenior Missionary Language Training

Instructions to Language Tutors and Missionaries

The objective of the language tutoring program for senior missionaries is to enable them, and others, to begin

communicating meaningfully as early as possible in their mission language. In order to help accomplish thisobjective, this grammar guide provides a focus on only the most basic grammatical structures of the language

for those who are studying the language for the first time. By limiting the focus of the missionaries to the basicconcepts outlined in this guide, seniors will be able to concentrate their energy and attention on doing a few

things very well, rather than trying to cover everything. The content of this guide has been prepared to enable

seniors to communicate the following in their mission language:

oAsking about and Expressing a State of BeingoAsking about and Expressing Possession or ownershipoAsking about and Describing Objects, People, and their characteristicsoAsking about and Expressing Desire, Need, Preference, Ability, Intention, or purposeoAsking about and Describing Simple Actions and EventsoAsking and answering questions of contrasting attitudes, emotion, feelingsoAsking and answering questions of time, date, and locationoAsking and answering questions of quality, quantity, number, and sequenceoAsking and answering questions of cause and effectoNarrating simple experiences and stories

The lessons are designed to insure that the missionaries can communicate each of the above concepts under thefollowing three conditions:

1) using both questions and answers2) in the simplest forms of the present, past, and future

3) in both the affirmative and the negative

Lesson sequence to be followed: It is recommended that the grammar lessons be studied in the sequence thatthey appear in this guide. Missionaries may refer to the designated language text for further explanations on

any of the points of grammar as they move through this guide..

Teach and practice from the visual displays: Use the visual displays in this document for practice during

tutoring sessions. They are designed to provide a visual connection between tutor and learner, especially

when on the telephone. The visual nature of the displays is intended to eliminate much of the need for grammarrules, by showing rather than explaining.

Refer when necessary to the language text: For each lesson in this document, missionaries and tutors mayrefer to the designated language text whenever necessary to answer questions they may have regarding thegrammar. You will continue to refer to it on your own once you are in the field.

Pace for moving through this grammar guide: There is no need to move too quickly through the lessons.Time should be spent on building confidence in using the structures in each lesson before moving on. Spend

the necessary time increasing vocabulary and reviewing previous lessons before moving too quickly ahead. The

lessons will build on each other as you move through the sequence.


2/27


Use a variety of activities: It is not necessary to cover a new lesson in each tutoring session. Missionarieswill gain more confidence when they are given the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities on the

same principle. This will more likely insure that they are not only mastering concepts and structures as they go,

but that they have ample opportunity to review and maintain their confidence in all past lesson material. Tutorsshould plan and conduct many communicative language-type activities as part of their tutoring, including the

performance of tasks, which are studied separately.

Speak the language: Speak the language at every opportunity. An explanation here and there may be

necessary in English, but missionaries need ample opportunity to see themselves communicating in thelanguage. This will build their confidence more than anything else. Tutors should limit their own use of the

language to the structures and vocabulary that the missionaries have learned up to that point, so as to increasethe likelihood of their success in listening and responding in the language during tutoring sessions.

Organize note-taking: When missionaries have questions on particular grammatical structures, they shouldwrite any notes in the margins of the text or on the visual display sheets of this document where that particular

principle is located. By doing so, their notes will be automatically organized for future reference, because they

will be written on the pages which deal with that principle.

Use a pocket notebook for vocabulary: Vocabulary items should be written in an organized way in a small,

pocket-sized notebook, which can be carried with them for easy reference while speaking the language. Keeptwo separate lists for easy access; one of verbs, and the other for general vocabulary items. For example, keep alist of verbs in the front of the notebook, and a list of all other vocabulary items in the back. Write in the

language on the left side of the page, with the English equivalent on the right side. This makes for easy review

by covering either one or the other side of the list.

Use vocabulary notebook for review: Not having easy access to ones notes is one of the most frustratinghindrances of note taking, and thus of systematic review. By using the vocabulary notebooks, missionaries can

be much more successful in their review because they can always be working from a current, up-to-date list. Be

selective at first. Dont try to remember or write everything down. Select those vocabulary items / verbs thatyou will use most frequently and build from there.


3/27


Table of Contents

1. Overview of the Language. 4

2. Alphabet & Basic Pronunciation5

Asking about and Expressing a State of Being3. The Nominative Case The Subject . 7

4. The Accusative Case - Direct Object. 8

Asking about and Expressing Possession or ownership5. Genitive Case - Possession9

Asking about and Describing Objects, People, and their characteristics6. Asking Questions. 10

Asking about and Describing Simple Actions and Events7. Active First Conjugation.. 11

8. Active Second Conjugation. 12

9. Active Third Conjugation 13

10. Passive First Conjugation.1411. Passive Second Conjugation 15

12. Passive Third Conjugation... 16

Narrating simple experiences and stories13. First Conjugation - Past Tense. 17

14. Second and Third Conjugation Past Tense... 1815. Passive Simple past.. 19

16. Perfect Tense 20

17. Continuous Past21

Asking and answering questions of time, date, and location18. Simple Future... 22

19. Infinitve forms simple... 2320. Impersonal Verbs. 24

21. I like to - ...25

Appendix22. Time Chart27

23. Prepositions key... 28


4/27


1. Overview of The Language

o The Greek alphabet is that of the ancient language used by Homer, Socrates, and Paul in their writing ofGreek at various time periods and still used today with its 24 letters. Greeks writing system is verysystematic. It uses various diphthong (two or more letter-clusters) and monophthong (single letters)

constructions to write and to make its word patterns. This system is strictly regulated by specific rules for

reading, writing, and pronunciation.

o Unlike English, Greek nouns have genders, which affect the parts of speech. We will point those out as welearn the language.

o Greek uses nouns are put into declensions and used along with articles (both definite [the- ] andindefinite [a- ]) to specify the function of each noun by case (whether a direct or an indirect object or

possessive).

o The pronouns follow patterns similar to the nouns and play the role found in most Indo-Europeanlanguages (i.e. I, you, he, she, it, etc.)

o Adjectives also follow certain declensions and always agree in number, gender, and case with the nouns

they modify.

o Adverbs take on very few forms and are utilized as they are in English.

o Greek has 4 cases: The Nominative-the case of the subject; The Accusative-the case of the directobject; The Genitive- the case of the possessor; and the Vocative- the case of those called on (i.e. Hey

John!)

o Prepositions are used in sentence structure as in English but also are utilized for noun and verb forming.(i.e. - I pray (I pour out good[words] towards [God], - apostasy (the standing away

from)

o There are no infinitive verb forms in Greek. Instead of infinitives, Greek utilizes the particle toexpress the idea of verbs in sentences.

o The Greek language is inseparably connected with the Greek thought, culture, and history. Utilizing theknowledge associated with these secular themes will enable learners to effectively access the language,

and more importantly, the Greeks themselves.


5/27


2. Alphabet and Basic Pronunciation

o Learn the alphabet and basic elements of pronunciation through the Interactive Greek Alphabet Tool sothat you can begin to read in the language.

o Establish and maintain regular daily reading exercises from Gospel Principles Manual, Scriptures, TheLiahona, and / or the Hymns, for pronunciation and comprehension purposes.

o Make sure reading activities are put on the calendar for each dayLetter Name English name Pronunciation Example

Alfa a as in abrupt

Vita v as in vet

Gama gh as in ghost but more

guttural

Dhelta th(d) as in there

Epsilon as in egg

Zita z as inzoo

Ita as in feet Thita th as in thanks

Yiota as in feet

Kapa k as in keep

Lamdha l as in lemon

Mi m as in man

Ni n as in net

Xi ks as in picks

Omicron o as in option

pi p aspet

ro r as in the Spanish rr

(rolling r)

sigma s as in sun

taf t as in turtle

ipsilon as in feet

fi f as infish

hi ch as in the the Scottish

pronunciation of loch

h as in Hugh(in betweensh and an h)

psi ps as in Pepsi

omega o as in option

Double

consonants

at beginning

of word

anywhere else Example 1 Example 2


6/27


b as in ball mb as in

samba

d as in door nd as in and

g as ingun ng as in angle

Double

consonants

anywhere in

word

ng as in angle

ngh dz loads

ts pizza

Diphthongs

av as inavalanche oraf as in after

ev as inEverest of

ef as effort

Double

vowels

as in egg

as in feet

as in feet

oo as in pool


7/27


3. The Nominative Case The Subject -

o State of being happy, grateful, sad, tired, rested, etc.o The nominative case articles, endings, and pronounso Roles, nationality, profession, occupation, etc.

(See pg. 99 P1for , pg. 50,41-42 P1for the nominative case Modern HellenicGrammar)

.Iam American.

= I am

Singular Plural

*

1st

I am

*

we are

*

2nd

you are

*

you are

*

3rd

he is

she is

it is

*

they are

- -American

- -Greek

- -happy

- -grateful

- -tired

- -sad

- -missionary

- -doctor

-... -brother

-... -sister

-

-Representative of the Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints

+

+ /+(a /an)

Q: ;

Are you a missionary?: , .

Yes, I am a missionary

Q: ;

Are you Greek?

: .

No I am American

Examples

Q: ;

Are you tired?: , ,

.

Yes, I am tired, but I am happy


8/27


4. The Accusative Case - Direct Object

;You (all)have friends?

.Me it makes happy.

Singular Plural

*

1st I have

*

we have

*

2nd

you have

*

you have

*

3rd

he has

she has

it has

*

()

they have

- -father

- -brother- -friend

- -dog

- -cat

- -mother

- -family

- -sister

- -question

- -ticket- -book

-o -pen

- -car

+()/

a / the

+/+a / the

+/+a / the

Examples

Q: ;

Do you have a cat?

A: , .

Yes I have a cat.

Q: ;

Do you have a cat?

A: , .

Yes I have a cat.

(me)

(us)

(you)

(you)

(him)

(her)

(it)

(them)

(theirs)

(those)

/excited

/tired

the church

the lesson

helpcalls

-in/ at/ to


9/27


5. Genitive Case - Possession

o Do you have ? Yes, I have ?o The genitive case, articles, endings, and pronounso Yes, we have / No, we dont have

(See pg. 44 P1 Missionary Modern Hellenic Grammar Guide)

;Youhave the cell phone mine?

Verb Object Possessive pronoun

(my)

(ours)

(yours)

(yours)

(his)

(hers)

(its)

(theirs)

Q.___ ;Do you have ___?

A. , ___ .Yes, I have___ .

A. , ___ .No, I dont have ___ .

Q. ()___ ;Do they have ___ ?

- (book)- (notebook)- (scriptures)

- (dictionary)

- (pen)

- (chair)

- (blouse)

-(car)

- (money)

- (eyeglasses)

- (mobile phone)

-(phone)

-(bicycle)

+ +

*Notice that the possessive pronouns normally go at the end of a noun which it

modifies.* You may see other constructions to show relation to other nouns and adjectives.

(i.e. coming in between the adjective and noun- )

Q:.

;I have your book. Do you have my dictionary?

A:, .

.No, I dont have your dictionary. I have Giannisfolder.

Q: ;Are you happy?A: ,

.Yes, I have a book and my sciprtures.

Q: ;Do you have money?

A: , No, We dont have money.

Examples

(of friend)

(of mother)


10/27


6. Asking Questions

o What is this / that? -This / that is , Those are o Who is this / that?(see also section19) -This / that is o Is this / that ? Are these / those ? -Yes, this / that is , No, that is not o General Interrogatives

(See pg. 103 & 41 P1, pg. 5 P2 Modern Hellenic Grammar)

;What is that?

Interrogative Verb subject

Q. ;

;Who is he / she?

A. ,

.No, this / that is not theprophet?

- (a Bible)

-// __ (brother / Sister __)

- (my companion)

- (our children)

- (a door)

- (my pair of trousers)- (a shirt)

- (a dress)

- (our brothers)

- (a jacket)

- (a pencil)

- (a necktie)

- (socks)

- (a sister)

- (an Elder)

- (a missionary)- (the shoes)

-B (the B of M)

- the en

Q. ;What is this /that ?

A..

He is my husband.

A. .These / those are chairs.

. ;Is this / that your pen?

Q.

;Are they missionaries?

A.,

.No, these / those are

not

//

+

- -

- -

- -()

+

Examples

I am

we are

you are

you are

he is

she is

it is

they are


11/27


7. Active First Conjugation(See pg.10 P2 odern Hellenic Grammar)

.Iteach the Gospel.

- -

- -

- -()

-(cook)

-(write)-(know)

-( look)

-( believe)

- (the books)- (thenotebook)

- (the scriptures)

- (the dictionary)

- (in Greek)

- (the B of M)

- (the newspaper)

= I read

Singular Plural

*

1st

I read

*

we read

*

2nd

you read

*

you read

*3rd

he reads

she reads

it reads

* ()

they read

+

: ;Are you reading a book?

: ,

.Yes, I am reading the book now.

Examples

?Do you read the scriptures in Greek?

,

Yes, I read them in Greek.

.(food)

.(a letter).

.(the scriptures).

.(the dictionary).

.(in God).


12/27


8. Active Second Conjugation(See pg. 11 P2 Modern Hellenic grammar)

.Wespeak Greek.

- -

- -- -()

(love)

(walk)(help)

= I help

Singular Plural

*

1st

I help

*

we help

*

2nd

you help

*

you help

*

3rd

he helpsshe helps

it helps

*

()

they help

- (the children)- (the grandmother)

-(my companion)

- (the president)

- (theGreeks)

-(in the work)

-(in the kitchen)

- (the poor)

Q: ;

Do you help the kids?

A: , .

Yes, I help the kids.

Q: E

;Are you a missionary?, Do you help the poor.

A:, .We help the old woman often.

Examples

.(the children).

.(on Mars Hill).

+

+


13/27


9. Active Third Conjugation(See pg. 13 P1 Modern Hellenic Grammar)

.Weserve a mission.

- -

- -- -()

(I drive)

(I am late)

(I explain)

= I follow

Singular Plural

*

1st

I follow

*

we follow

*

2nd

you follow

*

you follow

*

3rd he follows

she follows

it follows

*

()they follow

- (the children)- (my companion)

- (the president)

- (theGreeks)

- (that red car)

- (your leader)

-(your heart)

- (our friend)

+

: ;Do you follow the prophet?

: .Yes, He is the president.

Examples

+

(the car)

(to the lesson)

(very hard)


14/27


10. Passive First Conjugation(See pg.10 P2 odern Hellenic Grammar)

.Iam taught the Gospel.

- -- -

- -

-(be tried)

-(be confused)-

(be sent)

-(be prepared)

:

;Are you taught by the

missionaries?

: ,

.Yes, They come very often.

Examples

;Are you preparing for your baptism.

,

.No, I am confused about the things in church.

.(temptations)

.(the talk).

.(the Prophet).

.(the activity).

(by)

(for)

+ +

-(think about)-(come)

.(the subject).(to church).


15/27


16/27


12. Passive Third Conjugation(See pg.10 P2 odern Hellenic Grammar)

.Iare called Elders.

- -

- -

- -

-(be ordained)

-(wonder)

:

;Do you have anything to do with

the Greeks?

: ,

.

Yes, We are learning Greek and wehave a lot to do with the Greeks.

Examples

.Are you getting ordained on Sunday?,

.Yes, I am getting ordained by Elder

Mcphee.

.(president)

.(the talk).

.(the work).

.(the center).

(by)

(with)

+ +


17/27


13. First Conjugation - Past Tense(See pg.27 P1 Modern Hellenic Grammar)

.Christ taught the Gospel.

1. Root

2. -change

3. Add ending

4. Accent 3 back

- -

- -

- -()

(The Book of Mormon).

.(the letter). .(the food).

.(far).

.(film).

.(the lesson).

1. Root /

2. /

3. add ending /

4. Accent 3 back /

1. Root //

2. / /

3. Add ending //

4. Accent 3 back //

:

;Did you read the Book of Mormon?

: ,

.No, I am reading it now.

: ;Do you read Greek?

: ,

Yes, I read yesterday in Greek.

.What did they ready yesterday?

.They read the scriptures and we read

the newspaper.

Examples

+

(The investigator)

(My daughter)(I)

(Paul)

(We)

(the missionary)

*please note that these are general rules for forming these simple roots for all

forms (both active and passive inside of all 4 conjugations). Each verb MUST be

looked up individually to confirm which type of root change is required.


18/27


14. Second and Third Conjugation Past Tense(See pg. 29 P1 Modern Hellenic Grammar)

.God called prophets.

1. Root

2.

Add-- 3. Add ending

4. Accent 3 back

- -

- -

- -()

M: ;Do you help the kids?

N: , .Yes I helped the kids yesterday in the

morning.

M: ;Do you help the president too?N: ,

.Yes, and I am helping the president today.

Read the following explanations and identify the past

tense verbs.

. .

. . .

. .

.

.

:

. . ,

. .

1. Root

2. Add - -

3. Add ending

4. Accent 3 back

1. Root

2. Add -

3. Add ending 4. Accent 3 back

*note that this verb changes stems from

its original to in the

simple

Examples

.

(the member).

.(Joseph Smith).

.(the church).

+

(The missionaries)

(God)

(The bus)


19/27


15. Passive Simple Past

.I felt the Spirit.

M:

;Did you pray yesterday for an answer?N: ,

.Yes, and I thought about my situation.

;We were sent by a true prophet.

, ;Interesting, Where did he come from?

Examples

ChristIO The prophet

The member

Christ

You

+

-was prepared

-was helped

was called

fell asleep

fell asleep

thought

be a prophet.

.God.

.the Father.

.(about) me.

+

- -

- -

- -()

**Accent 3 syllables

from the end.

to

by


20/27


16. Perfect Tense

o Perfect Tense- I have gone, I have done(See pg. 68-70 P1 Modern Hellenic Grammar)

.We have served two years.

1st

I have

we have

2nd

you have

you have

3rd he has

she has

it has

()

they have

+

;Have you read the Book of Mormon

, .Yes, I have read it.

;Have you ever prayed concerning the

truthfulness of the Book of Mormon

, Yes, All of us have read it.

;

Do you have an English lesson?, Yes, But I havent slept.

.

Examples

simple root

+

tried

prayed

seen

felt

.tried.

.prayed.

.seen.

.felt.


21/27


17. Continuous Past

.Christ used to live on the earth.

1st

(used to read)-

(used to send)

-()

(used to say)

2nd

& 3rd

- (used to pass)

(used to be able to)

(used to try)

- -

- -

- -

+

+

.

(the Book of Mormon)..

(prophets).

.

(the story).

.

(by the church).

.

(help).

(learn).

**accent syllablesback from the end.

;Could you help at the lesson?,

.

Yes, We discussed the modern prophets.

Examples


22/27


18. Simple Future

.(Future) I willhelp at the activity.

M: ;Will you write a letter?N: ,

.Yes, I have a lot of letters that Ill write.

M: ;Will you speak on the phone?N:, , .No, I will just write.

;Will you read the Book of Mormon.

. .I dont know. I wont believe it.

Examples

- - -

- -

Use the SimpleRoot forms for

each verb learnedabove in theSimple past

(future)

+

-teach

-keep

-pass

.institute.

.the commandments.

.by your house.


23/27


19. Infinitve forms - simple

o To want or to desire (See pg. 9,10 P1 Modern Hellenic Grammar)

.I want to you help in the Branch

: ;Do you want to go to church?

: ,

.Yes, I want to study the Holy Scriptures.Q:

;Are you willing to keep the commandments?A: ,

.Yes, I will keep them my whole life.

Examples

Can you

I am ready

+

Use the SimpleRoot forms foreach verb learnedabove in theSimple past

- -

-

- -

+

-read

-speak

-teach

.the verse.

.Greek.

the investigat

(me) (us)

(you)

(you)

(him)

(her)

(it)

(them)

(theirs)

(those)


24/27


20. Impersonal Verbs

o To be able to / To know how to (See pg. 11 P1 Modern Hellenic Grammar)

/ ?Must us youwrite in America?

Examples

:

;Do I need to drive the car?

: ,

.Yes, We are about to have a meeting.

Q: ;Do we need to go to Halandri?A: ,

.Yes, We need to pick up the food.

It is necessary

It is about to

+

(me)

(us)

(you)

(you)

(him)

(her)

(it)

(them)

(theirs)

(those)

give

rain

study

Use eitherthe simple orcontinuousroot

+

- -

- -

- -

.the prayer.

.the scriptures.

**Please note that the expression

does notmean you dont have to.Instead, it means you must not or thou

shall not.


25/27


21. I like to - (See pg. 32 P2 Modern Hellenic Grammar)

.We have served two years.

(me)

(us)

(you)

(you)

(him)

(her)(it)

(them)

(it pleases)

()(they please)

+

Examples

;Do you like reading?

,

.Yes, Generally I like to read.

;What book do you like?

.

I like Harry Potter books.

.

.

. .

.

. ;: , .

-.

+

*option 1

simple orcontinuous

rootacceptable

do

read

+ endings

be

study

+

.skiing.

.in Greek.

.the missionaries.

.history.

tried.

.prayed.

.seen.

*option 2

+


26/27


Appendix 22. Time Chart

This table helps us understand the Greek verb tenses on a time table chart. In relating a story one may

reference to this chart and find, not only the idea in relation to time of what they might want to express, but alsothe tense it would be put into. The English examples help explain how we express each of these tenses in

English and the Greek gives the culmination of the English equivalents.


27/27

Appendix24. Prepositions key

This chart is a visual tool in enabling one to visualize the many prepositions which are used both along and partof compound words in Greek. Use this to visualize meanings of words in Greek for example:

- = stand + = coming from/ in motion outwards or from that point. => The standing away

from something you were once centered in=> apostasy

== to feel/sense + = going from one side completely THROUGH the object or

idea to the other side. => I feel/sense something all the way through its existence and station in relation to me

(on the other side) => I perceive

= = I stay/reside + or = to be stationary inside of something/ IN=> I stay or reside inside of

one theme, idea, or place => I obsess

= = think (in process, not about something) + = moving from a former state, with itsnatural flow, to another point (usually progressive) => I progressively change the way I think from one way to

the other=> I repent

greek grammar guide

Documents