VERBAL NOUNS
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1. The Infinitive. 2. The Participle. 3. The Verbal Adjectives in -τός and -τέος.
THE INFINITIVE
1966
The infinitive is in part a verb, in part a substantive.
a. Many substantives are closely related to verbs, but not all verbs can form substantives. All verbs can, however, form infinitives.
b. The word infinitive denotes a verbal form without any limitations (finis) of number and person.
1967
The infinitive is like a verb herein:
a. It shows the distinctions of voice and tense (but not those of number and person). Having tenses, it can express different stages of action (action simply occurring, continuing, or finished); whereas the corresponding substantive sets forth the abstract idea without these distinctions. Contrast ποιεῖν, ποιήσειν, ποιῆσαι, πεποιηκέναι with ποίησις making.
b. It can have a subject before it and a predicate after it, and it can have an object in the genitive, dative, or accusative like the corresponding finite verb. Infinitives scarcely ever stand in the subjective genitive; and the object of an infinitive never stands in the objective genitive.
c. It is modified by adverbs, not by adjectives.
d. It may take ἄν and with that particle represent ἄν with the indicative (1784 ff.) or ἄν with the optative (1824).
e. It forms clauses of result with ὥστε, and temporal clauses with πρίν, etc.
1968
The infinitive is like a substantive herein:
a. It may be the subject or object of a verb.
b. With the (neuter) article it shows all the case forms (except the vocative): τὸ (τοῦ, τῷ, τὸ) λύ̄ειν, λύ̄σειν, etc.
c. It may be governed by prepositions: πρὸ τοῦ λύ̄ειν.
1969
The infinitive was originally a verbal noun in the dative (in part possibly also in the locative) case. The use to express purpose (2008) is a survival of the primitive meaning, from which all the other widely diverging uses were developed in a manner no longer always clear to us. But the to or for meaning seen in μανθάνειν ἥκομεν we have come to learn (for learning) can also be discerned in δύναμαι ἰδεῖν I have power for seeing, then I can see. Cp. 2000, 2006 a. As early as Homer, when the datival meaning had been in part obscured, the infinitive was employed as nominative (as subject) and accusative (as object). After Homer, the infinitive came to be used with the neuter article, the substantive idea thus gaining in definiteness. The article must be used when the infinitive stands as an object in the genitive or dative, and when it depends on prepositions.
1970
The infinitive is used as subject, as predicate, and to supplement the meaning of words and clauses.
1971
The negative of the infinitive is μή; but οὐ, used with a finite mood in direct discourse, is retained when that mood becomes infinitive in indirect discourse. Sometimes, however, μή is used in place of this οὐ (2723 ff.).
SUBJECT AND PREDICATE NOUN WITH THE INFINITIVE
1972
In general the subject of the infinitive, if expressed at all, stands in the accusative; when the subject of the infinitive is the same as the subject or object of the governing verb, or when it has already been made known in the sentence, it is not repeated with the infinitive.
1973
When the subject of the infinitive is the same as that of the governing verb, it is omitted, and a predicate noun stands in the nominative case.
I think that I knowοἶμαι εἰδέναι
he said he was a PersianΠέρσης ἔφη εἶναι
I shall not admit that I have come uninvitedἐγὼ οὐχ ὁμολογήσω ἄκλητος ἥκειν
a. The nominative is used when the infinitive, expressing some action or state of the subject of the main verb, has the article in an oblique case. Thus, τούτων ἀξιωθεὶς διὰ τὸ πατρικὸς αὐτῷ φίλος εί̂ναι justifying these requests on the ground that he was his hereditary friend Aes. 3.52,
this he effected by reason of his being severeτοῦτο δ᾽ ἐποίει ἐκ τοῦ χαλεπὸς εἶναι
b. The nominative stands usually in sentences with δεῖν, χρῆναι etc., dependent on a verb of saying or thinking. Thus,
I thought I ought to surpass them and to show myself more magnificentἡγούμην . . . περιεῖναι δεῖν αὐτῶν καὶ μεγαλοψῡχότερος φαίνεσθαι
c. When the governing verb is a participle in an oblique case, a predicate noun usually agrees with the participle, and rarely stands in the nominative. Thus,
being rid of those who profess to be judgesἀπαλλαγεὶς τούτων τῶν φασκόντων δικαστῶν εἶναι
it dispenses the offices to those who always seem to be the most deservingτὰ̄ς ἀρχὰ̄ς δίδωσι . . . τοῖς ἀεὶ δόξᾱσιν ἀρίστοις εἶναι
1974
A pronoun subject of the infinitive, if (wholly or partially) identical with the subject of the main verb, is generally expressed when emphatic, and stands in the accusative (cases of the nominative are rare and suspected); but the indirect reflexive σφεῖς stands in the nominative or accusative.
I think I have made more money than any two others togetherοἶμαι ἐμὲ πλείω χρήματα εἰργάσθαι ἢ ἄλλους σύνδυο
he thought the Thebans would let him have his own wayτοὺς δὲ Θηβαίους ἡγεῖτο . . . ἐά̄σειν ὅπως βούλεται πρά̄ττειν ἑαυτόν
a. After a preceding accusative with the infinitive, a second pronoun referring to a different person, and also subject of an infinitive, must also stand in the accusative whether or not it denotes the same person as the subject of the governing verb. Thus, ἀλλὰ νομίζεις ἡμᾶς μὲν ἀνέξεσθαί σου, αὐτὸς (see below) δὲ τυπήσειν; καὶ ἡμᾶς μὲν ἀποψηφιεῖσθαί σου, δὲ (not σὺ) δ᾽ ου᾽ παύσεσθαι but do you think that we are going to put up with you, while you strike us yourself? and that we are going to acquit you, while you will not cease your outrageous conduct? D. 21.204. αὐτός, above and in Κλέων οὐκ ἔφη αὐτός, ἀλλ᾽ ἐκεῖνον στρατηγεῖν Cleon said that not he himself, but that Nicias was in command T. 4.28, is not the expressed subject of the infinitive, but αὐτός of direct discourse (αὐτὸς τυπήσεις, αὐτὸς οὐ στρατηγῶ); hence αὐτός is not used here for σεαυτόν (ἑαυτόν).
1975
When the subject of the infinitive is different from that of the governing verb, it stands in the accusative; and a predicate noun stands also in the accusative.
for I think you are to me both fatherland and friendsνομίζω γὰρ ὑ̄μᾶς ἐμοὶ εἶναι καὶ πατρίδα καὶ φίλους
for I maintain that the noble and good man is happyτὸν γὰρ καλὸν κἀ̄γαθὸν ἄνδρα εὐδαίμονα εἶναί φημι
1976
A predicate noun takes the case of the subject of an infinitive itself dependent on a subjectless infinitive. Thus,
they manage it so that they seem to us to appear in various formsἡμῖν δὲ ποιοῦσι δοκεῖν σφᾶς παντοδαποὺς φαίνεσθαι
1977
Several infinitives may be used in succession, one infinitive being the subject of another:
regarding it of great importance not to seem to any one to wish to behave outrageouslyπερὶ πολλοῦ ποιούμενος μηδενὶ δόξαι ὑβρίζειν βούλεσθαι
1978
When the subject of the infinitive is the same as the object (in the genitive or dative) of the governing verb, it is often omitted, and a predicate noun is either attracted into the genitive or dative, or stands in the accusative in agreement with the omitted subject of the infinitive. See 1060-1062.
ἔξεστιν ἡμῖν ἀγαθοῖς εἶναι or ἔξεστιν ἡμῖν ἀγαθοὺς εἶναι it is in our power to be good (lit. to be good is possible for us). Thus, δεόμεθ᾽ οὖν ὑ̄μῶν . . . ἀκροά̄σασθαι τῶν λεγομένων, ἐνθῡμηθέντας ὅτι κτλ. we ask you therefore to listen to what is said, considering that, etc. 1. 14. 6. Cp. νῦν σοι ἔξεστιν ἀνδρὶ γενέσθαι quoted in 1062 with
it is in your power to become friends to the LacedaemoniansΛακεδαιμονίοις ἔξεστιν ὑ̄μῖν φίλους γενέσθαι
1979
The subject of the infinitive is often retained when it is the same as the (omitted) oblique object of the governing verb. Thus,
he issued orders that the Greeks should get under armsπαρήγγειλε τὰ ὅπλα τίθεσθαι τοὺς Ἕλληνας
1980
An indefinite or general subject of the infinitive (τινά, τινάς, ἀνθρώπους) is commonly omitted; and a predicate noun stands in the accusative. Thus, φιλάνθρωπον εἶναι δεῖ one (τινά) must be humane I. 2.15 (cp. 1984), ῥᾷον παραινεῖν ἢ παθόντα καρτερεῖν it is easier for a man to give advice than to endure suffering Men. Sent. 471,
for it is preferable to die in action rather than doing nothingδρῶντας γὰρ ἢ μὴ δρῶντας ἥδῑον θανεῖν
1981
The construction of the accusative with the infinitive seems to have originated from the employment of the infinitive to complement the meaning of transitive verbs; as in κελεύω σε ἀπελθεῖν I command you to depart. Here the accusative was separated from the transitive verb and felt to be the independent subject of the infinitive (I command that you depart). Gradually the accusative with the infinitive was used even after verbs incapable of taking an object-accusative.
PERSONAL AND IMPERSONAL CONSTRUCTION
1982
Instead of an impersonal passive verb with the accusative and infinitive as subject, Greek often uses the personal passive construction, the accusative becoming the nominative, subject to the leading verb.
Thus, Κῦρος ἠγγέλθη νῑκῆσαι Cyrus was reported to have conquered instead of ἠγγέλθη Κῦρον νῑκῆσαι it was reported that Cyrus had conquered, and δίκαιός εἰμι ἀπελθεῖν I am justified in going away instead of δίκαιόν ἐστιν ἐμὲ ἀπελθεῖν it is right for me to go away. English sometimes has to use the impersonal construction in place of the Greek personal construction (cp. 2107).
a. The personal construction is more common with λέγεται, ἀγγέλλεται, ὁμολογεῖται and other passive verbs of saying (regular with passive verbs of thinking); with συμβαίνει it happens; with ἀναγκαῖος necessary, ἄξιος worthy, δίκαιος just, δυνατός possible, ἐπιτήδειος fit, etc., followed by a form of εἶναι, instead of ἀναγκαῖον, ἄξιον, etc. Thus,
the Assyrian is reported to be about to make an incursion into his countryὁ Ἀσσύριος εἰς τὴν χώρᾱν αὐτοῦ ἐμβαλεῖν ἀγγέλλεται
much absurdity would resultπολλή τις ἀλογίᾱ ξυμβαίνει γίγνεσθαι
it is right for you to speakδίκαιος εἶ εἰπεῖν
it is right for him to bear the blameτὴν αἰτίᾱν οὗτός ἐστι δίκαιος ἔχειν
N.—δῆλός ἐστι and φανερός ἐστι take ὅτι or the participle (2107); δῆλόν ἐστι and φανερόν ἐστι take ὅτι, not the infinitive.
1983
The personal constructions δοκῶ, ἔοικα (2089 c), δέω are regular instead of δοκεῖ, ἔοικε it seems, δεῖ it lacks (much or little). So with φαίνομαι for φαίνεται.
for I seem to be unableδοκῶ γάρ μοι ἄδυνατος εἶναι
it seems to me that we are encampedδοκοῦμέν μοι καθῆσθαι
now at least you seem to be our kingνῦν γε ἡμῶν ἔοικας βασιλεὺς εἶναι
I am far from speaking in my own defenceπολλοῦ δέω ἐγὼ ὑπὲρ ἐμαυτοῦ ἀπολογεῖσθαι
you seem to speak wellεὖ σὺ λέγειν φαίνει
a. δοκεῖ μοί τινα ἐλθεῖν for δοκεῖ τίς μοι ἐλθεῖν it seems to me that some one came is very rare. δοκεῖ meaning it seems good, it is decreed always takes the infinitive (1984, 1991). δοκῶ believe has the construction of 1992 c. Cp. 1998.
THE INFINITIVE WITHOUT THE ARTICLE: AS SUBJECT, PREDICATE, AND APPOSITIVE
1984
As Subject.—The infinitive may be used as subject, especially with quasi-impersonal verbs and expressions (933 a).
to learn to read is necessaryγράμματα μαθεῖν δεῖ
to perform this well is a creditκαλῶς τοῦτο δρᾶν
it seemed best to them to proceedἔδοξεν αὐτοῖς προϊέναι
it is for their interest to be friendsσυμφέρει αὐτοῖς φίλους εἶναι
1985
Such quasi-impersonal verbs and expressions are δεῖ it is necessary, χρή (properly a substantive with ἐστί omitted, 793) it is necessary, δοκεῖ it seems good, ἔστι it is possible, ἔξεστι it is in one's power, οἷόν τέ ἐστι it is possible, πρέπει and προσήκει it is fitting, συμβαίνει it happens; and many expressions formed by ἐστί and a predicate noun, as ἄξιον it is right, δίκαιον it is just, ἀναγ- καῖον it is necessary, δυνατόν it is possible, ἀδύνατον (or ἀδύνατα) it is impossible, αἰσχρόν it is disgraceful, καλόν it is honourable, ὥρᾱ and καιρός it is time. With the last two expressions the old dative use of the infinitive is clear:
it is time for consideringὥρᾱ βουλεύεσθαι
a. On the personal ἄξιός εἰμι, δίκαιός εἰμι, δοκῶ, see 1982. For δεῖ με τοῦτο λέγειν we find the personal δέομαι τοῦτο λέγειν. Note the attraction in
the number of the things it is possible to mentionτὸ πλῆθος τῶν ἐνόντων εἰπεῖν
b. δεῖ and χρή regularly take the accusative and infinitive (cp. 1562); ἀνάγκη it is necessary takes the accusative or dative with the infinitive.
c. The subject of the infinitive is expressed or omitted according to the sense.
d. Homer shows only the beginnings of the use of the infinitive as a real subject, i.e. not a grammatical subject, as in 1984.
1986
As Predicate.—In definitions the infinitive may be used as a predicate noun with ἐστί.
for to learn is to get knowledgeτὸ γὰρ γνῶναι ἐπιστήμην λαβεῖν ἐστιν
1987
As an Appositive.—The infinitive may stand in apposition to a preceding substantive, pronoun, or adverb.
εἷς οἰωνὸς ἄριστος, ἀμύ̄νεσθαι περὶ πάτρης one omen is best, to fight for our country M 243, εἶπον . . . τοῦτο μόνον ὁρᾶν πάντας, τῷ πρόσθεν ἕπεσθαι I told all to pay heed to this only, viz., to follow their leader X. C. 2.2.8, καὶ ὑ̄μᾶς δὲ οὕτως, ὦ παῖδες, . . . ἐπαίδευον, τοὺς μὲν γεραιτέρους προτῑμᾶν, τῶν δὲ νεωτέρων προτετῑμῆσθαι and I have instructed you, too, my children (to this effect) to honour your elders in preference to yourselves and to receive honour from the younger in preference to them X. C. 8.7.10.
1988
The infinitive not in indirect discourse, and in indirect discourse, is often used as the object of a verb.
THE INFINITIVE NOT IN INDIRECT DISCOURSE
1989
The infinitive as object not in indirect discourse is used after almost any verb that requires another verb to complete its meaning. The tenses of this infinitive are timeless, and denote only stage of action.
1990
The infinitive may be the only expressed object, or it may be one of two expressed objects, of the leading verb.
a good education teaches obedience to the lawsπαίδευσις καλὴ διδάσκει χρῆσθαι νόμοις
he taught you to distinguish the good and the badδιαγιγνώσκειν σε τοὺς ἀγαθοὺς καὶ τοὺς κακοὺς ἐδίδαξεν
a. Verbs signifying to ask, bid, forbid, permit, teach, etc., allow an infinitive as one of two objects.
b. Many verbal expressions, formed by a substantive and a verb, take the infinitive. Thus, τοὺς ἄλλους διδάσκειν τέχνην ἔχουσιν they possess the skill to teach (the) others I. 16.11. Cp. 2000.
A. Object Infinitive after Verbs of Will or Desire
Verbs of will or desire (and their opposites) are often followed by an infinitive. The infinitive with a subject accusative denotes that something should (may) be or be done. The negative is μή (see 2719-2721).
they were willing to listen to himἤθελον αὐτοῦ ἀκούειν
they planned to leave the cityἐβουλεύοντο ἐκλιπεῖν τὴν πόλιν
he seeks to do what he likes bestτὰ ἥδιστα . . . ζητεῖ ποιεῖν
the king asks that you sail awayβασιλεὺς ἀξιοῖ σὲ ἀποπλεῖν
it was decided that Alcibiades should sailἔδοξε πλεῖν τὸν Ἀλκιβιάδην
a. Verbs of will or desire with an accusative subject of the infinitive form one of the classes of substantive clauses introduced in English by that, though the infinitive in English is often more idiomatic.
Of verbs of will or desire that take the infinitive some have an object
a. In the accusative (or are intransitive), e.g.: αἱροῦμαι choose, αἰτῶ, αἰτοῦμαι ask, ἀξιῶ claim, ask, βουλεύομαι resolve, βούλομαι wish, will, δικαιῶ deem right, διανοοῦμαι intend, ἐθέλω (poet. θέλω ), wish, will, εἴωθα am wont to, ἐπιχειρῶ attempt, ἐῶ permit, ζητῶ seek, κελεύω command, suggest, invite, μέλλω delay, πειρῶμαι try, πέμπω send, προθῡμοῦμαι am zealous, προκαλοῦμαι invite, προτρέπω urge, σπεύδω hasten, am eager, σπουδάζω am eager, τολμῶ dare, φιλῶ am wont to, ψηφίζομαι vote.
b. In the genitive, e.g.: δέομαι ask, ἐπιθῡμῶ and ὀρέγομαι desire.
c. In the dative, e.g.: εὔχομαι pray, παραγγέλλω and προστάττω command, ἐπιβουλεύω purpose, συμβουλεύω advise, ἐπιτρέπω and συγχωρῶ permit, παραινῶ exhort, δοκῶ μοι I have a mind to; and λέγω, εἶπον, φωνῶ, φράζω tell (and βοῶ shout) in the sense of command.
N.—πείθω urge to a course of action, takes the infinitive, πείθω convince generally has ὡς, rarely the accusative with the infinitive. Thus,
he urged him to go by himselfἔπειθεν αὐτὸν καθ᾽ αὑτὸν πορεύεσθαι
for most people will not be convinced that of your own free will you did not desire to go awayοὐ γὰρ πείσονται οἱ πολλοί, ὡς σὺ αὐτὸς οὐκ ἠθέλησας ἀπιέναι
Verbs of will or desire not to do anything are e.g.: δέδοικα, φοβοῦμαι fear, φεύγω avoid, ὀκνῶ scruple, αἰσχύ̄νομαι, αἰδοῦμαι (2126) feel shame to, ἀπαγορεύω forbid, κωλύ̄ω hinder, ἀπέχομαι abstain from, εὐλαβοῦμαι, φυλάττομαι beware of. Thus,
I fear to refute youφοβοῦμαι διελέγχειν σε
I am ashamed to tell you the truthαἰσχύ̄νομαι ὑ̄μῖν εἰπεῖν τἀ̄ληθῆ
Under verbs of will or desire are included verbs expressing an activity to the end that something shall or shall not be done. Thus, δίδωμι offer, give, διαμάχομαι struggle against, ποιῶ, διαπρά̄ττομαι, κατεργάζομαι manage, effect, παρέχω offer (others in 1992, 1993).
Several verbs of will or desire take ὅπως with the future or the subjunctive (verbs of effort, 2211, 2214); or μή with the subjunctive (verbs of fear, 2225); some take the participle (2123 ff.).
The infinitive may be used with the
a. Genitive or dative when the expression of desire is addressed to a person and the genitive or dative depends on the leading verb. Here the sentence is simple. Thus,
I ask you to render a just verdictδέομαι ὑ̄μῶν . . . τὰ δίκαια ψηφίσασθαι
he ordered all the rest to arm themselvesτοῖς ἄλλοις πᾶσι παρήγγελλεν ἐξοπλίζεσθαι
b. Accusative when the action of a person is desired (example in 1979). Such sentences are complex.
N.—Verbs of commanding allow either a or b; but only κελεύω with the accusative permits either meaning: κελεύω σὲ ταῦτα μὴ ποιεῑν I tell you not to do this and I command that you shall not do this. Cp. 1981.
Several verbs signifying to say are also used as verbs of will and then mean command. The agent commanded usually stands in the accusative subject of the infinitive. So with λέγω, εἶπον, φράζω, φωνῶ. Thus
I say that thou shalt take Philoctetes by craftλέγω σ᾽ ἐγὼ δόλῳ Φιλοκτήτην λαβεῖν
I told them that they should sailτούτοις ἔλεγον πλεῖν
all said that the ringleaders should suffer punishmentπάντες ἔλεγον τοὺς τούτων ἄρξαντας δοῦναι δίκην
a. The agent may stand in the dative as
I bid thee let goχαλᾶν λέγω σοι
The present and aorist infinitive (both timeless) are the usual tenses of the infinitive after verbs of will or desire (see 1869). The perfect is rare; as εἶπον τὴν θύρᾱν κεκλεῖσθαι (1997). δοκῶ and δοκῶ μοι signifying I have a mind to or I am determined to take the present or aorist like
I have a mind to bring out the assδοκεῖ· τὸν ὄνον ἐξάγειν δοκῶ
but I am determined that I will not accept his opinionἀλλά μοι δοκῶ . . . οὐ πείσεσθαι αὐτῷ
a. Some verbs, as κελεύω, which might be held to introduce indirect discourse, are classed under ver<*>s of will or desire, because, like these verbs, they do not regularly take the future infinitive; and because, unlike verbs of saying and thinking (which admit all the tenses of the infinitive) they introduce infinitives which do not show differences of time. The future infinitive does not express a command. For a few cases of the future after verbs of will or desire, see 1869.
Verbs signifying to hope, expect, promise, threaten , and swear, when followed by the aorist (less often the present) infinitive (1868), have the construction of verbs of will or desire. When such verbs take the future infinitive they have the construction of indirect discourse.
B. Infinitive after Other Verbs
The infinitive follows many verbs, especially such as denote ability, fitness, necessity, etc. (and their opposites).
he was no longer able to liveοὐκέτι ἐδύνατο . . . βιοτεύειν
knowing how to swimνεῖν ἐπιστάμενος
and all men are by nature prone to errπεφύ̄κᾱσί τε ἅπαντες . . . ἁμαρτάνειν
they learn how to govern and be governedμανθάνουσιν ἄρχειν τε καὶ ἄρχεσθαι
a. ἔχω I can is derived from the meaning I have especially with a verb of saying. Thus,
they can proclaim a stroke of ZeusΔιὸς πλᾱγὰ̄ν ἔχουσιν εἰπεῖν
C. Infinitive after Adjectives, Adverbs, and Substantives
The infinitive serves to define the meaning of adjectives, adverbs, and substantives, especially those denoting ability, fitness, capacity, etc. (and their opposites), and generally those analogous in meaning to verbs which take the infinitive (2000). Here the datival meaning (purpose, destination) is often apparent. Cp. 1969.
Adjectives and Adverbs.—
able to assist usἱκανοὶ ἡμᾶς ὠφελεῖν
skilled in speaking, evil in lifeδεινὸς λέγειν, κακὸς βιῶναι
able to loveοἷοι φιλεῖν
they are ready to fightἕτοιμοί εἰσι μάχεσθαι
most worthy to governἄρχειν ἀξιώτατος
quick to conceiveἐπινοῆσαι ὀξεῖς
most splendid to beholdκάλλιστα ἰδεῖν
a. Some of these adjectives take the infinitive by analogy to the related verbs, as πρόθῡμος zealous (προθῡμοῦμαι), ἐπιστήμων knowing how (ἐπίσταμαι).
οἷος fit, ὅσος sufficient take the infinitive like the fuller expressions τοιοῦτος οἷος, τοσοῦτος ὅσος. Thus,
for it was not the proper season to irrigate the plainοὐ γὰρ ἦν ὥρᾱ οἵᾱ τὸ πεδίον ἄρδειν
sufficient to live off ofὅσον ἀποζῆν
the kind of a man to be convincedτοιοῦτος οἷος . . . πείθεσθαι
Substantives.—As,
your children are almost of an age to be educatedοἱ παῖδες ὑ̄μῖν ὀλίγου ἡλικίᾱν ἔχουσι παιδεύεσθαι
we have leisure to learnσχολή γε ἡμῖν μανθάνειν
there is need to obeyἀνάγκη πείθεσθαι
it is high time to finishπεραίνειν ἤδη ὥρᾱ
The infinitive is added, like an accusative of respect (1601, 1602), to intransitive verbs (especially in poetry), to adjectives (more frequently in poetry), and to substantives (rarely). Thus, τοῖος ἰδεῖν such in aspect (lit. to look on) Theognis 216,
of a repulsive expressionὁρᾶν στυγνός
it is very fine to hearσαι παγκάλως ἔχει
a marvel even to hear ofθαῦμα καὶ ἀκοῦσαι
The infinitive limiting the meaning of an adjective is commonly active (or middle) in cases where the passive is more natural in English. Thus,
a speech capable of being understoodλόγος δυνατὸς κατανοῆσαι
worthy to be admiredἄξιος θαυμάσαι
a. The active use is due to the old datival function of the infinitive: δυνατὸς κατανοῆσαι capable for understanding.
The infinitive, with or without ὥστε or ὡς, may be used with ἤ than after comparatives, depending on an (implied) idea of ability or inability. ἢ ὥστε is more common than ἤ or ἢ ὡς. Cp. 2264.
for the disease is too great to be borneτὸ γὰρ νόσημα μεῖζον ἢ φέρειν
I fear lest some calamity befall the State greater than it can bearφοβοῦμαι μή τι μεῖζον ἢ ὥστε φέρειν δύνασθαι κακὸν τῇ πόλει συμβῇ
too short to reachβραχύτερα ἢ ὡς ἐξικνεῖσθαι
a. The force of ἢ ὥστε may be expressed by the genitive; as, κρεῖσσον λόγου (T. 2.50) = κρεῖσσον ἢ ὥστε λέγεσθαι. Cp. 1077.
b. Words implying a comparison may take the infinitive with ὥστε or ὡς (1063).
D. Infinitive of Purpose and Result
Infinitive of Purpose.—The infinitive may express purpose (usually only with verbs taking the accusative).
he gave this land over to the Greeks to plunderταύτην τὴν χώρᾱν ἐπέτρεψε διαρπάσαι τοῖς Ἕλλησιν
you granted a day to Aristarchus to make his defenceἈριστάρχῳ . . . ἔδοτε ἡμέρᾱν ἀπολογήσασθαι
I offer myself to be questionedπαρέχω ἐμαυτὸν ἐρωτᾶν
The infinitive of purpose is used in prose especially after verbs meaning to give, entrust, choose, appoint, take, receive. Verbs signifying to send, go, come usually take the future active participle (2065); but T. 6.50 has δέκα τῶν νεῶν προύπεμψαν ἐς τὸν μέγαν λιμένα πλεῦσαι they sent ahead ten ships to sail into the great harbour; and in poetry the infinitive often denotes purpose after these verbs, and after εἶναι in Homer ( Λ 20) and Hdt. (5. 25).
After verbs meaning to have (or be) at one's disposition:
the soldiers did not have money by means of which they could provision themselvesοἱ στρατιῶται ἀργύριον οὐκ εἶχον ἐπισῑτίζεσθαι
there is shade and grass to sit down inἐκεῖ σκιά̄ τ᾽ ἐστὶ καὶ πόᾱ καθίζεσθαι
Infinitive of Result.—The infinitive may be used with ὥστε (sometimes with ὡς) to denote a result, often an intended result. See 2260 ff.
a. Several verbs, substantives, and adjectives usually taking the infinitive also admit ὥστε with the infinitive (2271); and the infinitive is found where ὥστε with the infinitive might be expected: μνημονεύουσιν ἀφεθέντα τοῦτον ἐλεύθερον εἶναι they recall that he was emancipated (lit. released so as to be free) D. 29.25. Here the redundant infinitive expresses an intended result.
N.—This redundant use of εἶναι is common in Hom. and Hdt.
E. Absolute Infinitive
Certain idiomatic infinitives are used absolutely in parenthetical phrases to limit the application of a single expression or of the entire sentence.
a. Verbs of Saying.—ὡς ἔπος εἰπεῖν, ὡς εἰπεῖν so to speak, almost; (ὡς) ἁπλῶς εἰπεῖν, ὡς συνελόντι (1497) εἰπεῖν, ὡς (ἐν βραχεῖ or) συντόμως εἰπεῖν to speak briefly, concisely; ὡς ἐπὶ πᾶν εἰπεῖν, τὸ σύμπαν εἰπεῖν speaking generally; σχεδὸν εἰπεῖν so to say, almost (paene dixerim); σὺν θεῷ εἰπεῖν in God's name; and so ὡς with λέγειν, φράζειν, εἰρῆσθαι, as ὡς ἐν τύπῳ εἰρῆσθαι in general. Examples: ἀληθές γε ὡς ἔπος εἰπεῖν οὐδὲν εἰρήκᾱσιν not one word of truth, I may say, did they utter P. A. 17a, ἀγαθὸν μὲν ἁπλῶς εἰπεῖν οὐδὲν γέγονε τῇ πόλει in a word the State gained no advantage Dinarchus 1.33.
b. ὡς (ἔπος) εἰπεῖν is often used to limit too strict an application of a general statement, especially πᾶς or οὐδείς. Thus, πάντες ὡς ἔπος εἰπεῖν nearly every one, οὐδεὶς ὡς ἔπος εἰπεῖν almost no one. It is thus used like paene dixerim; rarely, like ut ita dicam, to soften the strength of a metaphor.
c. Especially common is the absolute εἶναι in ἑκὼν willingly, intentionally, if you can help it, usually in negative or quasi-negative statements (ἑκών may be inflected). Also in τὸ κατὰ τοῦτον (ἐπὶ τούτῳ) εἶναι as far as he is concerned, ὡς . . . εἶναι as far as . . . is concerned, τὸ νῦν εἶναι at present. Examples:
nor do you intentionally cause strangers to laughοὐδὲ ξένοις ἑκὼν εἶναι γέλωτα παρέχεις
it is not willingly separatedἑκοῦσα εἶναι οὐκ ἀπολείπεται
d. Other expressions: ἐμοὶ δοκεῖν, ὡς ἐμοὶ δοκεῖν, ὡς ἐμοὶ κρῖναι as it seems to me, in my opinion, (ὡς) εἰκάσαι to make a guess, (ὡς) συμβάλλειν to compare, (ὡς) ἀκοῦσαι to the ear, ὡς ὑμομνῆσαι to recall the matter, ὅσον γέ μ᾽ εἰδέναι as far as I know, etc.; ὀλίγου δεῖν, μῑκροῦ δεῖν almost, all but (δεῖν may be omitted, 1399). Examples: ὁ γὰρ Κτήσιππος ἔτυχε πόρρω καθεζόμενος τοῦ Κλεινίου, ἐμοὶ δοκεῖν for Ctesippus, it seems to me, happened to be sitting at a distance from Clinias P. Eu. 274b,
almost three talentsμῑκροῦ δεῖν τρία τάλαντα
e. Some of these absolute infinitives may be explained by reference to the idea of purpose (2008) or result. Thus, συνελόντι εἰπεῖν for one compressing the matter to speak (cp. ut paucis dicam), μῑκροῦ δεῖν so as to lack little. Others recall the adverbial accusative (1606); cp. ἐμοὶ δοκεῖν with γνώμην ἐμήν.
F. Infinitive in Commands, Wishes, and Exclamations
Infinitive in Commands.—The infinitive may be used for the second person of the imperative. The person addressed is regarded as the subject. This infinitive is commoner in poetry than in prose (where it has a solemn or formal force).
θαρσῶν νῦν, Διόμηδες, ἐπὶ Τρώεσσι μάχεσθαι with good courage now, Diomed, fight against the Trojans E 124, σὺ δέ, Κλεαρίδᾱ . . . τὰ̄ς πύλᾱς ἀνοίξᾱς ἐπεκθεῖν but do you, Clearidas, open the gates and sally forth T. 5.9.
a. This infinitive may be used in conjunction with an imperative:
hear ye, good people! drink the Pitchers as our sires drank!ἀκούετε λεῴ· κατὰ τὰ πάτρια τοὺς χόας πί̄νειν
b. The infinitive for the third person of the imperative often occurs in legal language (laws, treaties, etc.), and does not necessarily depend on the principal verb. Thus,
and the treaty shall continue for fifty yearsἔτη δὲ εἶναι τὰ̄ς σπονδὰ̄ς πεντήκοντα
c. The infinitive (with subject accusative) is rarely used for the third person of the imperative when there is an unconscious ellipsis of a word like δός grant, or εὔχομαι I pray. Thus, τεύχεα σῡλήσᾱς φερέτω κοίλᾱς ἐπὶ νῆας, σῶμα δὲ οἴκαδ᾽ ἐμὸν δόμεναι πάλιν let him strip off my arms and carry them to the hollow ships, but let him give back my body to my home H 78.
d. In negative commands (prohibitions) μή with the infinitive is poetic and Ionic: οἷς μὴ πελάζειν do not approach these ( = μὴ πέλαζε) A. Pr. 712,
and do not call him happy yetμηδὲ καλεῖν πω ὄλβιον
Infinitive in Wishes.—The infinitive with a subject accusative may be used in the sense of the optative of wish, usually with the same ellipsis as in 2013 c.
ye gods of my country, may bondage not be my lot!θεοὶ πολῖται, μή με δουλείᾱς τυχεῖν
the hunter should go forth in a light dressτὸν κυνηγέτην ἔχοντα ἐξιέναι . . . ἐλαφρὰ̄ν ἐσθῆτα
a. The nominative with the infinitive (instead of the optative) after αι᾽ γάρ occurs in Homer ( η 311, ω 376).
Infinitive in Exclamations.—The infinitive is often used in exclamations of surprise or indignation. The subject stands in the accusative.
that I should suffer this!ἐμὲ παθεῖν τάδε
to keep a dog like that!τοιουτονὶ̄ τρέφειν κύνα
On the infinitive with ἐφ᾽ ᾧ (ἐφ᾽ ᾧτε) see 2279; with πρίν, see 2453.
INFINITIVE AS OBJECT IN INDIRECT DISCOURSE
2016
The infinitive is used as the object of verbs of saying and thinking. Such infinitives denote both time and stage of action (cp. 1866).
a. The finite verb of a sentence placed in dependence on a verb of saying or thinking that requires the infinitive, becomes infinitive, which infinitive stands in the relation of a substantive as subject or object of the leading verb. Commonly as object: thus, Κῦρος νῑκᾷ Cyrus is victorious, when made the object of φησί he says, becomes a part of a new sentence φησὶ Κῦρον νῑκᾶν, in which Κῦρον νικᾶν is the object of φησί. As subject, when the verb of saying is passive: thus, in λέγεται Κῦρον νῑκᾶν, the last two words form the subject of λέγεται.
2017
Verbs of saying are e.g.: say φημί, φάσκω, λέγω; confess ὁμολογῶ; promise ὑπισχνοῦμαι, ὑποδέχομαι, ἐπαγγέλλομαι, ὑφίσταμαι; pretend προσποιοῦμαι; swear ὄμνῡμι; deny ἀπαρνοῦμαι; gainsay ἀντιλέγω; dispute ἀμφισβητῶ, etc.
Some verbs of saying admit other constructions than the infinitive, and especially ὅτι or ὡς (2579). λέγω, εἶπον, φράζω, φωνῶ with ὅτι or ὡς mean say, with the infinitive command (1997).
a. φημί say, assert, express the opinion that in classical Greek is almost always followed by the infinitive, but by ὅτι very often in the later language. φημὶ ὅτι occurs in X. A. 7.1.5 (φημὶ ὡς in L. 7.19, X. H. 6.3.7; D. 4.48, 27. 19 by anacoluthon).
b. λέγω state (impart a fact) takes either the infinitive or ὅτι or ὡς. The infinitive occurs usually with the passive (λέγεται, etc.) either in the personal or impersonal construction (1982 a). The active forms of λέγω with the infinitive mean command (1997).
c. εἶπον said usually takes ὅτι or ὡς; with the infinitive, it commonly means commanded (1997). Cp. the double use of told.
N.—εἶπον meaning said with the infinitive is rare, but occurs in good Attic prose: And. 1.57, 80; Thuc. 7. 35; Lys. 10. 6, 10. 9, 10. 12; Xen. H. 1. 6. 7, 2. 2. 15, C. 5. 5. 24, S. 2. 13; Is. 2.29; Lyc. 50; Aes. 3.37, 3. 59; Dem. 15. 18; Plato, G. 473 a, 503 d, Lach. 192 b, Charm. 174 a, Hipp. Maj. 291 b, Pol. 263 c, 290 b, L. 654 a, Clitoph. 409 a, 410 b. In poetry this use is frequent.
2018
Verbs of thinking almost always take the infinitive. Such are: think ἡγοῦμαι, οἴομαι, δοκῶ, νομίζω; hope ἐλπίζω; suppose ὑπολαμβάνω; suspect ὑποπτεύω; guess εἰκάζω; feel confident πιστεύω; disbelieve ἀπιστῶ. The use of ὡς is rare, while ὅτι is very rare (2580).
a. Verbs of perceiving sometimes take the infinitive by analogy to verbs of thinking; as ἀκούω, αἰσθάνομαι, πυνθάνομαι (2144).
2019
Each tense of direct discourse is retained (with its proper meaning as regards stage of action) when it becomes infinitive in indirect discourse; but an imperfect is represented by the present infinitive; a pluperfect, by the perfect infinitive. See 1866, 1867.
2020
An original οὐ of direct discourse is generally, an original μή is always, retained in indirect discourse. But in some cases οὐ becomes μή (2723 ff.).
2021
The infinitive is the subject of the passive of verbs of saying and thinking (1982 a). So with δοκεῖ it seems, φαίνεται it is plain, etc.
2022
The infinitive represents a finite verb after verbs of saying and thinking.
a.
they assert that they are loyalεὖνοί φᾱσιν εἶναι
the guides say there is no other roadεἶναι ἄλλην ὁδόν
everybody in time to come will say that there is nothing more profitable than braveryπάντες ἐροῦσι τὸ λοιπὸν μηδὲν εἶναι κερδαλεώτερον τῆς ἀρετῆς
b. βασιλεὺς νῑκᾶν ἡγεῖται the king thinks he is victorious ( = νῑκῶ, cp. 1887) X. A. 2.1.11, οἴομαι βέλτιστον εἶναι I think it is best 5. 1. 8, ὑπώπτευον ἐπὶ βασιλέᾱ ἰέναι they suspected that they were to go against the king 1. 3. 1, (Σωκράτης)
Socrates was of the opinion that for a man not to know himself was very near to madnessτὸ ἀγνοεῖν ἑαυτὸν ἐγγυτάτω . . . μανίᾱς ἐλογίζετο εἶναι
c. When a word of saying is expressed or implied in what precedes, several infinitives may be used where the indicative is employed in translation. So in the narration in X. C. 1.3.5-6.
2023
The infinitive with ἄν represents an indicative with ἄν or a potential optative with ἄν. See 1846, 1848, 1849, 2270.
2024
Verbs signifying to hope, expect, promise, threaten , and swear take the future infinitive in indirect discourse, and the aorist (less often the present) infinitive not in indirect discourse (like verbs of will or desire, 1868, 1999). ἐλπίζω ταῦτα ποιήσειν I hope that I shall do this, ἐλπίζω ταῦτα ποιῆσαι or ποιεῖν I hope to do this.
THE INFINITIVE WITH THE ARTICLE (ARTICULAR INFINITIVE)
2025
The articular infinitive, while having the character of a substantive, retains the functions of a verb. In its older use the articular infinitive is a subject or object; the nearest approach to this use in Homer is
to watch is also troubleἀνί̄η καὶ τὸ φυλάσσειν
2026
The articular infinitive admits the constructions of an ordinary substantive.
Nom. τὸ ποιεῖν making or to make, τὸ ποιήσειν, τὸ ποιῆσαι, τὸ πεποιηκέναι
Gen. τοῦ ποιεῖν of making, τοῦ ποιήσειν, τοῦ ποιῆσαι , etc.
Dat. τῷ ποιεῖν for making, by making, τῷ ποιήσειν, τῷ ποιῆσαι , etc.
Acc. τὸ ποιεῖν, τὸ ποιήσειν, τὸ ποιῆσαι , etc.
2027
The articular infinitive is treated as subject, predicate noun, and object like the simple infinitive (1984-1986).
2028
The negative of the articular infinitive is μή.
2029
The articular infinitive may indicate time (after verbs of saying or thinking, 2034 g), or may be timeless.
2030
The articular infinitive is in general used like the infinitive without the article, and may take ἄν; as regards its constructions it has the value of a substantive. The article is regularly used when the connection uniting the infinitive to another word has to be expressed by the genitive, the dative, or a preposition.
a. The articular infinitive is rarely used, like a true substantive, with the subjective genitive:
imitate at least their wisdomτό γ᾽ εὖ φρονεῖν αὐτῶν μῑμεῖσθε
NOMINATIVE OF THE ARTICULAR INFINITIVE
Subject (1984):
in the young silence is better than speechνέοις τὸ σῑγᾶν κρεῖττόν ἐστι τοῦ λαλεῖν
the fact that the Peloponnesians did not come to their assistance enabled you to punish the Samiansτὸ Πελοποννησίους αὐτοῖς μὴ βοηθῆσαι παρέσχεν ὑ̄μῖν . . . Σαμίων κόλασιν
GENITIVE OF THE ARTICULAR INFINITIVE
a. The genitive of the articular infinitive is used to limit the meaning of substantives, adjectives, and verbs.
b. Adnominal (1290):
from desire to drinkτοῦ πιεῖν ἐπιθῡμίᾳ
c. Partitive (1306):
having gained the greatest amount of courageτοῦ θαρσεῖν τὸ πλεῖστον εἰληφότες
d. After verbs:
we desisted from weepingἐπέσχομεν τοῦ δακρύ̄ειν
e. Purpose (cp. 1408), often a negative purpose:
in order not to do what was justτοῦ μὴ τὰ δίκαια ποιεῖν
Atalante was fortified to prevent pirates from ravaging Euboeaἐτειχίσθη Ἀταλάντη . . . τοῦ μὴ λῃστὰ̄ς . . . κακουργεῖν τὴν Εὔβοιαν
f. Genitive Absolute (2070): ἐπ᾽ ἐκείνοις δὲ ὄντος αἰεὶ τοῦ ἐπιχειρεῖν καὶ ἐφ᾽ ἡμῖν εἶναι δεῖ τὸ προαμύ̄νασθαι since the power of attack is always in their hands, so in our hands should lie the power of repelling it in advance T. 3.12.
g. After prepositions, e.g. ἀντὶ τοῦ ἐπὶ Κᾱρίᾱν ἰέναι . . . ἐπὶ Φρυγίᾱς ἐπορεύετο instead of going against Caria, he marched toward Phrygia X. H. 3.4.12,
without exercising self-controlἄνευ τοῦ σωφρονεῖν
he devotes his every effort that he may become master of theseὑπὲρ τοῦ τούτων γενέσθαι κύ̄ριος . . . πάντα πρᾱγματεύεται
DATIVE OF THE ARTICULAR INFINITIVE
a. With verbs, adjectives, and adverbs: thus,
that they may distrust my having been honoured by divine powersἵνα . . . ἀπιστῶσι τῷ ἐμὲ τετῑμῆσθαι ὑπὸ δαιμόνων
Philip has conquered us by nothing so much as by being beforehand in his operationsοὐδενὶ τῶν πάντων πλέον κεκράτηκε Φίλιππος ἢ τῷ πρότερος πρὸς τοῖς πρά̄γμασι γίγνεσθαι
equal to sorrowing beforehandἴσον δὲ τῷ προστένειν
b. After prepositions: e.g. οὐ γὰρ ἐπὶ τῷ δοῦλοι, ἀλλ᾽ ἐπὶ τῷ ὁμοῖοι τοῖς λειπομένοις εἶναι ἐκπέμπονται (ἄποικοι) for colonists are not sent out on the basis of being inferiors, but on the basis of being the equals of those who are left at home T. 1.34,
the one, in addition to gaining nothing from the embassy, ransomed the prisoners of warὁ μὲν πρὸς τῷ μηδὲν ἐκ τῆς πρεσβείᾱς λαβεῖν, τοὺς αἰχμαλώτους . . . ἐλύ̄σατο
for life is sweetest in being conscious of nothingἐν τῷ φρονεῖν γὰρ μηδὲν ἥδιστος βίος
ACCUSATIVE OF THE ARTICULAR INFINITIVE
a. Object (cp. 1989):
fearing to liveδείσᾱς τὸ ζῆν
we call doing wrong a greater evil, being wronged a lesserμεῖζον μέν φαμεν κακὸν τὸ ἀδικεῖν, ἔλᾱττον δὲ τὸ ἀδικεῖσθαι
b. After prepositions: e.g.
obedience appears to be an advantage of the greatest importance with regard to the successful accomplishment of excellent objectsμέγιστον ἀγαθὸν τὸ πειθαρχεῖν φαίνεται εἰς τὸ καταπρά̄ττειν τἀ̄γαθά
they are indifferent to everything in comparison with victoryτῶν ἁπάντων ἀπερίοπτοί εἰσι παρὰ τὸ νῑκᾶν
schooled to moderate needsπρὸς τὸ μετρίων δεῖσθαι πεπαιδευμένος
c. The accusative of the infinitive with τό appears after many verbs and verbal expressions which usually take only the simple infinitive. Such verbal expressions may be followed also by a genitive of a noun. Thus,
I commend speed to theeτὸ σπεύδειν δέ σοι παραινῶ
we trained her to show zeal in assisting to increase our estateτὸ προθῡμεῖσθαι δὲ συναύξειν τὸν οἶκον ἐπαιδεύομεν αὐτήν
you refuse to loveτὸ ἐρᾶν ἔξαρνος εἶ
d. So after adjectives. Thus, μακρὸς τὸ κρῖναι ταῦτα χὡ λοιπὸς χρόνος the future is long (i.e. time enough) to decide this S. El. 1030.
e. This object infinitive after verbs is often an internal accusative. The accusative after verbs and nouns is, in many cases, like an accusative of respect (1600); as
they refused to do itτὸ δρᾶν οὐκ ἠθέλησαν
they are ashamed to dareαἰσχύ̄νονται τὸ τολμᾶν
nor have I courage to remove theeοὐδ᾽ ἐμοί τοι τοὐξανιστάναι ἐστὶ θάρσος
they are able to make an inroad into our countryἐσβάλλειν . . . ἱκανοί εἰσι
f. Some verbs take the articular infinitive as an object when the simple infinitive could not be used:
taking heed only to strike any one he caughtμόνον ὁρῶν τὸ παίειν τὸν ἁλισκόμενον
g. Verbs of saying and thinking rarely take the articular infinitive (also with ἄν): ἐξομεῖ τὸ μὴ εἰδέναι; wilt thou swear thou didst not know? S. Ant. 535,
for I come with good grip on the hope that I can suffer nothing save what is my fateτῆς ἐλπίδος γὰρ ἔρχομαι δεδραγμένος, τὸ μὴ παθεῖν ἂν ἄλλο πλὴν τὸ μόρσιμον
h. On the use of the object infinitive with τὸ μή and τὸ μὴ οὐ, see 2744 and 2749.
i. The accusative with the infinitive may stand in the absolute construction: ἐπεί γε τὸ ἐλθεῖν τοῦτον, οἶμαι θεόν τινα αὐτὸν ἐπ᾽ αὐτὴν ἀγαγεῖν τὴν τῑμωρίᾱν as for his coming, I believe that some god brought him to his very punishment Lyc. 91.
OTHER USES OF THE ARTICULAR INFINITIVE
2035
Apposition (cp. 1987). The articular infinitive, in any case, is often used in apposition to a preceding word, especially a demonstrative.
injustice is this: to seek to have more than other peopleτοῦτό ἐστι τὸ ἀδικεῖν, τὸ πλέον τῶν ἄλλων ζητεῖν ἔχειν
man differs herein from other creatures that he aspires after honourδοκεῖ τούτῳ διαφέρειν ἀνὴρ τῶν ἄλλων ζῴων, τῷ τῑμῆς ὀρέγεσθαι
2036
In Exclamation (cp. 2015).—Thus,
my ill-luck! that I should happen now to have been summoned hither!τῆς τύχης· τὸ ἐμὲ νῦν κληθέντα δεῦρο τυχεῖν
2037
With Adjuncts.—The articular infinitive may take various adjuncts including dependent clauses, the whole forming one large substantival idea.
the fact that we have lost much in the warτὸ μὲν γὰρ πόλλ᾽ ἀπολωλεκέναι κατὰ τὸν πόλεμον
and in fact, since it is a serious business to provide for one's own necessities, it seems to me to be the part of an utter fool not to rest content with that, but in addition to take upon himself the burden of providing for the needs of the rest of the communityμὴ ἀρκεῖν τοῦτο, ἀλλὰ προσαναθέσθαι τὸ καὶ τοῖς ἄλλοις πολί̄ταις ὧν δέονται πορίζειν
CONSTRUCTIONS OF THE INFINITIVE WITH VERBS OF hindering
2038
Verbs signifying (or suggesting) to hinder take both the simple infinitive and the articular infinitive. Such verbs may take the strengthening but redundant negative μή (2739); and some, when themselves negatived or appearing in a question expecting a negative answer, admit the addition of the sympathetic οὐ (2742). Hence we have a variety of constructions (described in 2744 ff.)
Herbert Weir Smyth.
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