Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics

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Perfect
(2,247 words)

Abstract

This article discusses the Ancient Greek Perfect from both a synchronic and a diachronic point of view, from Archaic to post-Classical Greek. After giving an overview of three main approaches towards the semantics of this grammatical category, it focuses on the cross-linguistic approach, showing that the Perfect has undergone a semantic shift from resultative to perfective past. 

1. Introduction

The term ‘Perfect’ is commo…

Cite this page
Klaas Bentein, “Perfect”, in: Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics, General Editor: Georgios K. Giannakis. Consulted online on 02 December 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2214-448X_eagll_COM_00000274>
First published online: 2013



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