LRC GET BETTER TIP Greek LRC GET BETTER TIP Greek

Principal Parts Principal Parts

Principal parts are the verb’s basic building Principal parts are the verb’s basic building blocks that allow you to conjugate all of its blocks that allow you to conjugate all of its forms. They are all conjugated in the first forms. They are all conjugated in the first person singular, which allows you to work person singular, which allows you to work from that ending to other persons and from that ending to other persons and number. In Ancient Greek, there are six number. In Ancient Greek, there are six principal parts, and these generally follow a principal parts, and these generally follow a pattern in their formation: pattern in their formation:

Part Basis for Pattern Example Part Basis for Pattern Example Present & Present & I stem + ω λύω I stem + ω λύω Imperfect Imperfect II Future stem + σω λύσω II Future stem + σω λύσω III Aorist augment + stem + σα ἔλυσα III Aorist augment + stem + σα ἔλυσα Perfect Perfect IV reduplication + stem + κα λέλυκα IV reduplication + stem + κα λέλυκα Active Active Perfect Perfect V reduplication + stem + μαι λέλυμαι V reduplication + stem + μαι λέλυμαι Middle Middle Aorist & Aorist & VI Future augment + stem + θην ἐλύθην VI Future augment + stem + θην ἐλύθην Passive Passive

Why Memorize Principal Parts? Why Memorize Principal Parts?

Although verb forms follow this basic pattern, and Although verb forms follow this basic pattern, and allow you to recognize different the forms, not all allow you to recognize different the forms, not all verbs do. Thus it is necessary to memorize the verbs do. Thus it is necessary to memorize the principal parts. For example, ἔρχομαι, to go, principal parts. For example, ἔρχομαι, to go, follows a varied pattern: ἔρχομαι, ἐλεύσομαι, follows a varied pattern: ἔρχομαι, ἐλεύσομαι, ἦλθον, ἐλήλυθα. This varied pattern can be seen ἦλθον, ἐλήλυθα. This varied pattern can be seen in English: I go, I will go, I went, I have gone. in English: I go, I will go, I went, I have gone.

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