Lesson 1 | Present Indicatives
[2] Present Active Indicatives
To parse present active indicatives, we need to learn two pieces of information:
- The four key features of indicative verbs
- The primary active endings
Immediately, you should notice that present indicative verbs lack a tense former. This lack of a tense former actually helps us determine that this is a present tense-form. For example,
λύω
ἀκούετε
λαμβάνει
λέγουσιν
Take a look at the ending of each verb.
Just like nouns follow patterns (the first, second, and third noun patterns), verb endings follow specific patterns too. So, let’s learn the Primary Active Verb Pattern for indicatives.
Learn these endings well! Memorizing this primary active verb pattern will allow you to parse almost any non-past (present, future, perfect) active indicative verb.
Examples from the Greek NT
διὰ τί μετὰ τῶν τελωνῶν καὶ ἁμαρτωλῶν ἐσθίει ὁ διδάσκαλος ὑμῶν Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? —Matthew 9:11
Let’s focus in on ἐσθίει by analyzing its four key features:
εσθι+ει
[Augment]
[Stem]
[Tense Former]
[Ending]
The present stem and lack of both augment and tense former tell us that this is a present tense-form from ἐσθίω. The ending tells us that this is an active, indicative, third person, singular form.
So, we can put that all together and parse ἐσθίει as a present, active, indicative, third person, singular from ἐσθίω. When we translate, we should try to communicate the verb’s aspect (imperfective) and time (present): “he is eating” or “he eats.”
καὶ ἀποστέλλουσιν αὐτῷ τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτῶν And they sent their disciples to him. —Matthew 22:16
ἀποστέλλουσιν is the main verb. Let’s analyze its four key features:
αποστελλ+ουσιν
[Augment]
[Stem]
[Tense Former]
[Ending]
We have a present stem, no augment or tense former, and a primary active ending. So, this verb is a present, active, indicative, third person, plural from ἀποστέλλω: “they send” or “they are sending.”
Translate this sentence into Greek: "He sends."
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Quizlet
Take the time to practice parsing some more via this quizlet.