chapter 16

Middle voice – definition

The subject performs the action for itself or with personal interest

Active voice – definition

The subject performs the action on another (e.g. παύω = I stop something)

Passive voice – definition

The subject receives the action (e.g. παύομαι = I am stopped)

Middle voice – key idea

Indicates self-interest, involvement, or action done for oneself

Example middle meaning

λούομαι = I wash myself

Middle voice – dative usage

Often takes dative to show benefit or interest

Deponent verbs – definition

Verbs that are middle/passive in form but active in meaning

Example deponent

πορεύομαι = I go, travel

Example deponent

δέχομαι = I receive

Example deponent

βούλομαι = I wish

Middle vs active meaning change

Some verbs change meaning in middle voice

Example meaning change

πείθω = persuade; πείθομαι = obey

Example meaning change

φέρω = carry; φέρομαι = carry for oneself / be carried

Present middle/passive endings (thematic verbs)

-ομαι, -ῃ, -εται, -όμεθα, -εσθε, -ονται

Imperfect middle/passive endings

-όμην, -ου, -ετο, -όμεθα, -εσθε, -οντο

Future middle formation

Future stem + middle endings (e.g. λύσομαι)

Aorist middle formation

Aorist stem + middle endings (e.g. λυσάμην)

Aorist passive formation

Stem + -θη- + endings (e.g. ἐλύθην)

Difference: middle vs passive

Middle = subject involved; Passive = subject acted upon

Indirect perception – definition

A construction used after verbs of perceiving, knowing, or learning

Indirect perception – structure

Main verb + participle agreeing with subject

Indirect perception – tense meaning

Present = same time; Aorist = prior time; Future = subsequent time

Indirect perception – negative

οὐ

Example indirect perception

ὁρῶ αὐτὸν λέγοντα = I see him speaking

Example indirect perception (aorist)

εἶδον αὐτὸν ἐλθόντα = I saw him come

Indirect perception vs circumstantial participle

Indirect = reported perception; circumstantial = describes situation

Indirect statement – infinitive construction

Verb of saying/thinking + infinitive + accusative subject

Example indirect statement

λέγει αὐτὸν σοφὸν εἶναι = he says that he is wise

Indirect statement – ὅτι / ὡς clause

Uses finite verb instead of infinitive

Difference ὅτι vs ὡς

ὅτι = objective fact; ὡς = subjective opinion

Example ὅτι clause

λέγει ὅτι σοφός ἐστιν = he says that he is wise

Example ὡς clause

λέγει ὡς σοφός ἐστιν = he claims that he is wise

Time in indirect statements

Tense shows relative time to main verb

Participles in indirect perception

Agree in case, number, gender with their subject

Verbs that take indirect perception

ὁράω (see), ἀκούω (hear), γιγνώσκω (know), μανθάνω (learn)

Example verb list

ὁράω = see; ἀκούω = hear; αἰσθάνομαι = perceive; μιμνήσκομαι = remember

Example sentence

αἰσθάνομαι ὅτι οὐ σοφός εἰμι = I perceive that I am not wise

Example participle sentence

ὁρῶ τὴν γυναῖκα σοφὴν οὖσαν = I see that the woman is wise

Middle voice – reflexive idea

Often overlaps with reflexive pronouns in meaning

Middle voice – common translation

“for oneself”, “oneself”, or simple active depending on context