Microsoft Copilot helps close the leanring gaps on different types of Greek Verbs

This is not intended to be a study guide for Greek verbs. It is merely to demonstrate how one can benefit from using Artificial Intelligence to close the learning gaps. 

Questions were asked regarding some key terms that I failed to grasp while learning Greek grammar. 

Here are the answers provided by Microsoft Copilot as I asked for clarifications. The answers to my questions are put together for the readers: 

In Greek grammar, you’ll find several types of verbs. They can be recognised from the way the word begins (prefix) and ends (suffix). They are the:

(a) regular verbs, which follow standard conjugation patterns, and 

(b) irregular verbs, which don’t follow standard conjugation patterns. 

       Sounds difficult? Well, in both Greek and English, what this means is that while regular verbs follow predictable patterns for how a word and its prefixes / suffixes are combined (conjugation), the spelling and forms of irregular verbs can vary, and you have to learn them individually. 

        For example, the past tense for the verb 'join' is 'joined' and because it follows a certain pattern, you can predict the past tense of  'cook' is 'cooked.' This is what is meant by a regular verb - the pattern of its conjugation is the same, by adding just the suffix -ed to the verb. See the table provided for the Greek ending.

        However, the past tense for 'irregular verbs' are harder, and you will need to learn them separately. The past tense of a verb like 'buy' is not "buyed" but 'bought.' Instead of following the pattern with -ed, it is spelt differently. So, is the verb 'run'. Its past tense is 'ran.' There are also Greek verbs that follow the irregular patterns. That's why they are called the irregular verbs.  

        So, whether it is Greek or English, regular and irregular verbs are quite similar—just in different languages. Got it? 

2. Verb Structure and Function

        Greek verbs change form based on who is doing the action and when it is happening. They have different endings to show whether it’s “I,” “you,” “he,” “she,” or “we” performing the action, and also whether it’s happening now, in the past, or in the future. 

        Think of it like a verb dress-up game. By looking at the Greek verb, you will be able to know not only what action took place, but you will also know who and when it happened. Unlike the English grammar, for Greek, you can be determined by just looking at the prefixes, suffixes, attached to the verb, or both.

        Alright, let’s make it fun! If we take the verb “to play,” in Greek, it changes based on who’s playing and when. 

• For the present, you might say “παίζω” (paízo) for “I play.” The first person pronoun is clearly reflected in the verb by the suffix ω at the end of the word. 
• In the past, it becomes “έπαιξα” (épaixa) for “I played.” 
• For the future, it’s “θα παίξω” (tha paíxo) for “I will play.” These changes help you know who’s playing and when.

        Unlike English, in Greek verbs you know who and when the action is done.

3. Grammatical Categories

“Aspect” shows whether an action is complete or ongoing. There are two categories (or aspects) of verbs. They are either:

● The imperfective, used for ongoing, habitual, or repeated actions,

● The perfective focuses on completed actions or states. 

The difference between the two aspects of verbs is given in these two examples:

• “I am/was/ will be running” (imperfective), which shows that he was, is or will still be running. The verb usually ends with -ing in English grammar, but in Greek, it comes with a suffix that can be recognised (see table below). 
• “I ran” (perfective). This shows that the action had happened. 

Further explanation from my past learning about Perfective and Imperfective Verb: 

        Imagine you are in a room with people eating and chatting together. You have with you camera that has dual functions: video and still camera. 

        You video captures the atmosphere and the camaraderie in the room. The verbs ‘eating’ and ‘chatting’ regardless of the tense (past, present or future) are in the imperfective form. The video captures a continuous action as it unfolds. 

        You then decided to take a picture with your still camera showing someone putting a mouthful of spaghetti into his mouth. That still picture captures what you call an action, which at that instance, is preserved digitally; therefore you say the aspect of the verb eat is a perfective (completed) verb, example: τετέλεσται (meaning, “It is finished!” in John 19:30) is a perfective verb, which means the writer was depicting a completed action, not a continuous action.

Four Aspects of the Greek Verbs

Now, look at the four aspects of the verb: 

(1) “Mood” in grammar is about the attitude of the verb.  In grammar, “Attitude” refers to the speaker’s feeling about what they’re saying. It’s like the tone of voice but in written words. 

For example, if you’re sure about something, you use the indicative. If it’s a wish or something uncertain, that’s the subjunctive. And if you’re giving an order, that’s the imperative. It’s all about how you express actions or states of being.

● “Indicative” is just a fancy way of saying we’re talking about real actions or events.

● “Subjunctive” When talking about possibilities, Greek uses different moods. One is “subjunctive,” which expresses doubt or potential. Another is “conditional,” used for hypothetical situations. Think of them as ways to talk about “what might be.”The word “subjunctive” comes from Latin roots. It’s like “joining under,” suggesting it’s under the main statement. So, “subjunctive” is used for actions or ideas that are wished, possible, or hypothetical. Got it?

● “Imperative” is like a command or an important instruction made by the person. 

 

You'll probably find Indicative and Imperative easier to understand, but may have difficulty learning what is Subjunctive.

        Copilot explains when I asked it to bring it to the level so simple that even a 10-year-old understands it: "The Latin word behind “subjunctive” is “subjungere.” It means “to join under” or “to subordinate.” 

        Picture it as a little helper mood that supports the main action, often suggesting possibilities or wishes. It’s like the “what if” or “maybe” mood.

        In English, you might say, “I suggest that he play the piano,” where “play” is in the subjunctive mood. In Greek, an example would be, “εύχομαι να έρθει” (éfchomai na érthi), meaning “I hope that he comes.” “Έρθει” (érthi) is in the subjunctive mood, showing a wish or possibility.

        I wanted two more examples and it gave me these two examples: 

Example 2: “I suggest that he be more careful next time.”

🔍 How it reflects both ideas:

• Conceptually secondary: The clause “that he be more careful” uses the subjunctive mood (be instead of is), expressing a recommendation—not a fact. It’s a possibility or desire (hence, subjunctive), not a declaration of reality (indicative).

• Etymological insight: The subjunctive clause is “joined under” the main verb “suggest.” It cannot stand alone meaningfully; it depends on the main statement to give it purpose. This reflects the Latin root subjungere—to join beneath or subordinate.

Therefore, in Greek, the form of the verb changes to show the mood. The subjunctive mood often has specific endings or uses certain particles, like “να” or “ας,” which aren’t used in the indicative mood. Now, this is the interesting reason why we need to learnt New Testament Greek: by checking the verb’s ending or the words around it, you can tell if it’s subjunctive or indicative. You can't see all these nuances in the English translation! 

 

(2) Tenses: 
We have learnt about tenses. I quote from the above here again

• For the present, you might say “παίζω” (paízo) for “I play.” The first person pronoun is clearly reflected in the verb by the suffix ω at the end of the word. 
• In the past, it becomes “έπαιξα” (épaixa) for “I played.” 
• For the future, it’s “θα παίξω” (tha paíxo) for “I will play.” These changes help you know who’s playing and when.
  
  “Tense” simply tells us when something happens: past, present, or future.

(3) “Voice” tells us whether the subject is doing the action or receiving it. They are either active (I kicked the ball), passive (The ball was kicked by me) or middle meaning, an action is done to oneself (I kicked myself).

(4) “Participle.” In Greek, participles are verbs that can function like adjectives or nouns. They also have tense, voice, and mood, which can be reflected by the way the verbs are conjugated. 

        In other words, Greek participles are used similarly to English in that they can describe nouns or adjectives. They can denote aspect and voice.

Examples:

• “γραφόμενος” (graphomenos) is a present participle meaning “being written.” How do we know it is a present participle? Well, Greek present participles often end in “-μενος” (pronounced “-menos”), a common ending for the masculine (form of) present participles.  
• “Excited by the news, she jumped up and down.” This word 'excited' is the past participle used to describe her reaction. When a verb becomes a participle, it can act like an adjective to describe something. So, “excited” describes how someone feels, and it’s originally from the verb “excite.”

In Greek, “the rising sun.” is “Ο ανερχόμενος ήλιος” 

• Is this is a present or a past participle? (see the tip in bold).
• How do you know?

You have just learnt that Greek verbs can appear as four different aspects - Indicative, Subjunctive, Imperative and Participle.

Besides these four aspects, we also know WHO is involved in carrying out the action by looking at the suffixes. 

• “Person” indicates who’s doing the action—like “I,” “you,” or “they.” 

4. Exploring Moods Further

        When talking about possibilities, Greek uses:

(a) the “subjunctive,” which expresses doubt or potential. 

(b) the “conditional,” which is used for hypothetical situations. Think of them as ways to talk about “what might be.”

        You have already learnt that the word “subjunctive” comes from the Latin root word “subjungere.” It’s like “joining under,” or “to subordinate”, suggesting it is beneath the main statement. “Beneath the main statement” means:

● Grammatically subordinate: The subjunctive is often used in dependent clauses—those that rely on a main clause to make sense.

 

Example 1: “I wish that he were here.” 

The clause “that he were here” is not a standalone statement; it’s subordinate to “I wish.”

● Conceptually secondary: The subjunctive expresses possibility, desire, doubt, or hypothetical scenarios, rather than asserting facts. It doesn’t declare what is, but what might be, should be, or could be. That’s why it’s considered “beneath” or “subordinate” to the main factual assertion.  

○ The clause “that he be more careful” uses the subjunctive mood (be instead of is), expressing a recommendation—not a fact. It’s a possibility or desire, not a declaration of reality.            

● Etymological insight: The Latin subjungere means “to join under.” So the subjunctive is literally the mood that’s “joined under” the main verb or idea—serving it, colouring it, but not standing independently.

 

Example 2: “She recommends that he study harder for the exam.

            Explanation:

● The main verb is “recommends”, which expresses a suggestion.

● The clause “that he study harder” uses the subjunctive mood (study instead of studies), indicating a desired or hypothetical action.

● This clause cannot stand alone meaningfully. “That he study harder” by itself lacks context and purpose—it’s grammatically and conceptually subordinate to the main verb

● This structure reflects the Latin root subjungere, meaning “to join beneath.” The subjunctive clause is literally and functionally joined under the main statement.

        It is easy when you think of “subjunctive” as a verb mood that is used for actions or ideas that are wished, possible, or hypothetical. It’s like the “what if” or “maybe” mood.

        In English, you might say, “I suggest that he play the piano,” where “play” is in the subjunctive mood. In Greek, an example would be, “εύχομαι να έρθει” (éfchomai na érthi), meaning “I hope that he comes.” “Έρθει” (érthi) is in the subjunctive mood, showing a wish or possibility.

         In English, the verb appears the same regardless of whether it is just stating a fact, giving a command, or it is just a wish. But in Greek, the form of the verb changes to show the mood. 

        How do we know the mood of the verb -- whether it is only stating a fact, or giving a command or it is just a wish? Well, you look at the ending. If it has specific endings or uses certain particles such as “να” or “ας,” which aren’t used in the indicative mood, you can know that this is a subjunctive mood. 

        This comes through practice? Now, go to the Greek New Testament and see if you can identify the verbs: