Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics

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Impersonal Verbs/Constructions
(2,030 words)

Abstract

Ancient Greek has a restricted number of impersonal constructions. Third singular active forms of weather verbs, certain experiential predicates and certain modal verbs are often used with an impersonal meaning. Third singular mediopassive forms occasionally have an impersonal reading. Other impersonal construction types include third plural active forms of verba dicendi and second singular forms of perception/comprehension verbs.

Impersonal verbs or constructions are understood as finite forms of verbal predicates (Predi…

Cite this page
Eystein Dahl, “Impersonal Verbs/Constructions”, in: Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics, General Editor: Georgios K. Giannakis. Consulted online on 25 March 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2214-448X_eagll_COM_00000184>
First published online: 2013



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