Greek 202: Syntax.
Review Sheet 3.
Indirect Commands and Verbs of Preventing.
INDIRECT COMMANDS
Use the infinitive, as in English. Click here for Infinitive Paradigm.When commanding someone not to do something, Greek uses mh. parainw umin apelqein. "I advise you to go away."
ekeleusamen autouV mh apelqein. "We ordered them not to go away." |
PREVENTION
In English we use a complicated expression, "I prevent you from doing something." But in Greek, it's quite simple. Verbs of Prevention work like "forbid" and simply use the infinitive: "I forbid you to do this." |
"I do prevent..."
apagoreuw umaV apelqein. "I forbid you to go away."
ekwlusa umaV apelqein. "I prevented you from going away."
Sometimes the Greeks add the word mh before the infinitive, but this does not alter the meaning: apagoreuw umaV mh apelqein. "I forbid you to go away." |
"I do not prevent..."
If you are not preventing someone from doing something, then you put mh ou before the infinitive. ouk apagoreuw umaV mh ouk apelqein. "I do not
forbid you to go away."
ouk ekwlusa umaV mh ouk apelqein. "I did not prevent you from going away." |