Sequence of Tenses - Greek

Greek

In Classical Greek, the tenses in subordinate clauses must correspond to those in the superordinate clauses governing them.

A principal tense (present tense, future tense, or perfect tense) in the superordinate clause is followed by a principal tense in the indicative mood or subjunctive mood. Such a principal tense is followed by:

  • the present tense when the action of the subordinate verb refers to the same time as the superordinate verb
  • the perfect when the action of the subordinate verb has been completed before the time of the superordinate verb
  • the future tense when the action of the subordinate verb is in the future of the time of the superordinate verb

A historical tense (imperfect, pluperfect, or aorist) in the superordinate clause is followed by a historical tense in the indicative mood or optative mood. Such a historic tense is followed by:

  • the imperfect when the action of the subordinate verb refers to the same time as the superordinate verb
  • the pluperfect when the action of the subordinate verb has been completed before the time of the superordinate verb
  • the aorist
  • the future tense in the optative mood when the action of the subordinate verb is in the future of the time of the superordinate verb

In fact, since Greek tenses express the aspect of the verb, not the time, we don't have the "Consecutio Temporum", but the "Consecutio Modorum", the sequence of the Moods.

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