1.28: The Imperfect and Aorist Indicative of λέγω, ἔχω, ἐργάζομαι, δίδωμι, τίθημι

Module 23

© 2021 Philip S. Peek, CC BY 4.0 https://doi.org/10.11647/OBP.0264.28

The Verb

In Greek and in English verbs have the same definition and functions. Verbs are words that represent actions (throw) and states of being (be or exist). They differ in the same fundamental way that Greek nouns differ from their English counterparts: they use endings to create meaning in a way that English does not. The Greek verb (ῥῆμα) in its finite form has an ending that indicates what person and number the subject is. The Greek infinitive has an ending that indicates that it is unmarked for person and number.

μι-Verbs Contrasted with ω-Verbs

μι-Verbs conjugate in the same way that ω-verbs do but employ different stems and endings in some tenses. With regard to the concepts of aspect and time, ω-verbs and μι-verbs are the same. They are also the same in how they form their augments. As is the case with ω-verbs, to conjugate μι-verbs with accuracy, you must add the correct ending to the correct tense stem.

The Past Indicative Augment

Past time is indicated in verbs that begin with a consonant by adding the prefix, ἐ-, called the past indicative augment. In verbs that begin with a vowel or diphthong the past indicative augment is created as outlined in the chart found below.

Unaugmented Stem Vowel	Augmented Stem Vowel
α	η
ᾱ	η
η	η
ε	η
ι	ῑ
ῑ	ῑ
ο	ω
υ	ῡ
ῡ	ῡ
αι	ῃ
αυ	ηυ
ει	ῃ
ευ	ηυ
οι	ῳ
ου	ου
ω	ω

The imperfect, aorist, and pluperfect indicative tenses have a past indicative augment. Consider the different ways that the English verb creates past tenses and compare and contrast them with how the Greek verb does. Also take note that when a verb has a prefix, the accent never moves beyond the past indicative augment,

προεῖδον Ι or they forsaw.

Tense-Aspect

Time (tense) refers to the past, present, and future. Aspect refers to whether an action is incomplete (imperfective), complete (perfective), or in a state (stative). The present tense stem, which is used to form the present and imperfect tenses, communicates an incomplete action. The beginnings and ends of the action are undefined. Thus the tense-aspect for the present is present ongoing or repeated and the tense-aspect for the imperfect is past ongoing or repeated (imperfective). The aorist tense stem communicates a completed action as a single whole. The boundaries of the action’s beginning and end define the action as complete (perfective). The future tense stems have a temporal value but no aspect, showing no distinction between the imperfective (incomplete) and perfective (complete) aspect (CGCG 33.4–6).

The Gnomic Aorist

When it refers to actions that state a general truth or commonality, the aorist tense stresses the universality of the verb’s action or state of being. Read the following sentences,

τέχνη τύχην ἔστερξε καὶ τύχη τέχνην (Agathon, fragment 6 TrGF 39F6),

Skill loves fortune and fortune loves skill;

and

ῥώμη δὲ μετὰ μὲν φρονήσεως ὠφέλησεν (Isokrates, To Demonikos 5–8),

Strength combined with intelligence creates;

and

παθόντες ἐμάθομεν (Greek proverb),

From suffering we learn.

In each sentence the aorist tense—ἔστερξε (loves), ὠφέλησεν (creates), ἐμάθομεν (learn)—is used to express a timeless truth. For more examples, see CGCG 33.31.

The Aorist Contrasted with the Imperfect Tense

Both tenses typically refer to actions that have occurred in past time. The aorist and the imperfect differ in aspect in accordance with what you have just read.

The First Aorist and the Second Aorist

If the third principal part ends in –α or –αμην, it is called a first aorist and if it ends in –ον or –ομην, it is referred to as a second aorist. There is no difference in meaning. Consider the following verbs. Look at the third principal part and note whether it ends in –α, –αμην or –ον, –ομην. First aorist endings are highlighted. Second aorist endings are underlined.

ἄγω, ἄξω, ἤγαγον do, drive, lead	second aorist
αἰσθάνομαι, αἰσθήσομαι, ᾐσθόμην perceive	second aorist
βουλεύω, βουλεύσω, ἐβούλευσα plan	first aorist
γράφω, γράψω, ἔγραψα write	first aorist
ἐργάζομαι, ἐργάσομαι, ἠργασάμην be busy, work at; do	first aorist
------, ἐρέω, εἶπον say	second aorist
ἔχω, ἕξω or σχήσω, ἔσχον have, hold	second aorist
ἔρχομαι, ἐλεύσομαι, ἦλθον come, go	second aorist
θύω, θύσω, ἔθυσα sacrifice	first aorist
λέγω, λέξω, ἔλεξα say, tell, speak	first aorist

1. In the top 250 vocabulary, this textbook combines the principal parts of λέγω and ------, ἐρέω.

The Aorist of μι-Verbs

The type of aorist a μι-verb has is often ambiguous. Consider these μι-verbs,

δίδωμι	δώσω	ἔδωκα*	δέδωκα	δέδομαι	ἐδόθην
δείκνῡμι	δείξω	ἔδειξα	δέδειχα	δέδειγμαι	ἐδείχθην
ἵημι	ἥσω	-ἧκα*	-εἷκα	-εἷμαι	-εἷθην
ἵστημι	στήσω	ἔστησα	ἕστηκα	ἕσταμαι	ἐστάθην
		ἔστην**
τίθημι	θήσω	ἔθηκα*	τέθηκα	τέθειμαι	ἐτέθην
φημί	φήσω	ἔφησα	------	------	------

noting that the forms marked by a single asterisk, ἔδωκα, ἔθηκα, and -ἧκα, are referred to as mixed aorists because they use a combination of endings from ω-verbs and μι-verbs. These third principal parts are indistinguishable from first aorist forms. For this reason, you must memorize which μι-verbs have a mixed aorist. The form marked by two asterisks, ἔστην, is called a root aorist because it uses a long-vowel grade in forming the singular and plural of the aorist active and middle. Unmarked forms ἔδειξα, ἔστησα, ἔφησα are first aorists and are conjugated just like first aorists of ω-verbs.

The Infinitive

Remember that in English and in Greek the infinitive is unmarked for person and for number. Ιt is classified as a verbal noun and is best understood by thinking of its function as completing or enhancing the meaning of adjectives, clauses, nouns, and verbs. This is why the infinitive is referred to as a complement. Sometimes classified as a mood, the infinitive is potential in meaning, ἐν δυνάμει, because its action may or may not be realized. There are two types of infinitives, the declarative and the dynamic. Both the declarative and the dynamic infinitives refer to actions which exist potentially or ἐν δυνάμει. The dynamic infinitive is negated by the abverb μή not and not οὐ not. οὐ not typically negates the declarative infinitive with some exceptions.

The Aorist Infinitive Contrasted with the Present Infinitive

Except in indirect statements, covered in detail in Module 25, where the infinitive stands for an original finite verb, the only difference in meaning between the aorist and present infinitives is aspectual: the aorist infinitive communicates a completed aspect as a single whole; the present infinitive has an incomplete action, whose beginnings and ends are undefined.

Compare and contrast the forms and aspects of the two infinitives:

λέγειν to say (incomplete aspect)

λέξαι to say (completed aspect)

εἰπεῖν to say (completed aspect)

ἔχειν to have (incomplete aspect)

σχεῖν to have (completed aspect)

ἐργάζεσθαι to do (incomplete aspect)

ἐργάσασθαι to do (completed aspect)

διδόναι to give (incomplete aspect)

δοῦναι to give (completed aspect)

Stems for the Imperfect and Aorist Tenses of ω-Verbs

Imperfect Active, Middle, and Passive Tense Stem. To obtain the imperfect tense stem of ω-verbs, remove the ending from the first principal part. What remains is the present and imperfect active, middle, and passive tense stem. If the stem begins with a consonant, add the past indicative augment, ἐ-, to the stem’s beginning. If the stem begins with a vowel or diphthong, augment it in accordance with the past indicative augment chart found above.

The Aorist Active, Middle, and Passive Tense Stem of ω-verbs. The aorist tense stems are formed from principal part III (active and middle) and principal part VI (passive). To obtain the aorist tense stem of ω-verbs, remove the ending from the third or sixth principal part. What remains is the aorist tense stem. In the lexical entries, these forms are already augmented. Consider the principal parts of λύω,

λύω, λύσω, ἔλυσα (active and middle), λέλυκα, λέλυμαι, ἐλύθην (passive),

noting that the third and sixth principal parts are already augmented and that the augmented aorist stems are ἔλυσ- and ἐλύθ-.

Endings for the Imperfect and Aorist Tenses of ω-Verbs

Secondary Active   (imperfect and second aorist)   S Pl 1st -ον -ομεν 2nd -ες -ετε 3rd -ε (ν) -ον	Secondary Active   (first aorist)   S Pl 1st -α -αμεν 2nd -ας -ατε 3rd -ε (ν) -αν
Secondary Μiddle and Passive   (imperfect and second aorist)   S Pl 1st -ομην -ομεθα 2nd -ου (-εσο) -εσθε 3rd -ετο -οντο	Secondary Middle   (first aorist)   S Pl 1st -αμην -αμεθα 2nd -ω (-ασο) -ασθε 3rd -ατο -αντο

1. In the second person singular of secondary middle and passive and secondary middle endings, intervocalic sigma drops out and the vowels contract: epsilon and omicron, ε + ο, becomes the diphthong ου and alpha and omicron, α + ο, becomes omega, ω.

Secondary Passive
(Aorist)
	S	Pl
1st	-ην	-ημεν
2nd	-ης	-ητε
3rd	-η	-ησαν

First Aorist Infinitive Active

-αι (accent fixed on the penult)

Second Aorist Infinitive Active

-εῖν (accent fixed on the ultima)

First Aorist Infinitive Middle

-ασθαι

Second Aorist Infinitive Middle

-έσθαι (accent fixed on the penult)

Aorist Infinitive Passive

-ῆναι (accent fixed on the penult)

In what follows you learn how to combine stems and endings and how to translate each form into its English equivalent.

Secondary Middle and Passive Endings

The following secondary middle and passive endings are used in forming many of the tenses you learn for the middle and passive voices.

Secondary Middle and Passive

	S	P
1st	-μην	-μεθα
2nd	-σο	-σθε
3rd	-το	-ντο

It is a good idea to memorize them now.

Endings in Summary

The charts below restate the same information as is found above, but in a condensed form. Look over the chart and make sure that you understand how to read it.

These ending sets form two past tenses, the imperfect and the aorist, each differing from the other in terms of aspect not time.

Use these endings to form the aorist infinitive. Memorizing the endings now before reading on is recommended.

Conjugation of λέγω, ἔχω, and ἐργάζομαι

The principal parts are these:

λέγω, λέξω, ἔλεξα, ------, λέλεγμαι, ἐλέχθην

ἔχω (imp. εἶχον), ἕξω or σχήσω, ἔσχον, ἔσχηκα, -ἔσχημαι, ------

ἐργάζομαι (augments to εἰ and ἠ), ἐργάσομαι, ἠργασάμην (εἰργασάμην), ------, εἴργασμαι, ἠργάσθην

1. In the top 250 vocabulary, this texbook combines the principal parts of λέγω and ------, ἐρέω: λέγω, ἐρέω or λέξω, εἶπον or ἔλεξα, εἴρηκα, εἴρημαι or λέλεγμαι, ἐλέχθην or ἐρρήθην say, tell, speak;

Remember that to conjugate correctly, you need to combine the correct stem with the correct endings.

Imperfect Indicative Active of λέγω

To obtain the imperfect tense stem of λέγω, remove the ending -ω from the first principal part. What remains is the present and imperfect active, middle, and passive tense stem, λεγ-. To this stem, λεγ-, add the past indicative augment, ἐ-, and the imperfect and second aorist active endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἔλεγον	I said, was saying, used to say	1st person singular
ἔλεγες	you said, were saying, used to say	2nd person singular
ἔλεγε (ν)	he, she, it said, was saying, used to say	3rd person singular
ἐλέγομεν	we said, were saying, used to say	1st person plural
ἐλέγετε	you said, were saying, used to say	2nd person plural
ἔλεγον	they said, were saying, used to say	3rd person plural

Imperfect Indicative Middle of λέγω

Use the same augmented stem as you did for the active voice, ἐλεγ-. To this stem, add the imperfect and second aorist middle and passive endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἐλεγόμην	I chose, was choosing, used to choose	1st person singular
ἐλέγου (εσο)	you chose, were choosing, used to choose	2nd person singular
ἐλέγετο	he, she, it chose, was choosing, used to choose	3rd person singular
ἐλεγόμεθα	we chose, were choosing, used to choose	1st person plural
ἐλέγεσθε	you chose, were choosing, used to choose	2nd person plural
ἐλέγοντο	they chose, were choosing, used to choose	3rd person plural

Imperfect Indicative Passive of λέγω

Use the same augmented stem as you did for the active and middle voices, ἐλεγ-. To this stem, add the imperfect and second aorist middle and passive endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἐλεγόμην	I was said, used to be said	1st person singular
ἐλέγου (εσο)	you were said, used to be said	2nd person singular
ἐλέγετο	he, she, it was said, used to be said	3rd person singular
ἐλεγόμεθα	we were said, used to be said	1st person plural
ἐλέγεσθε	you were said, used to be said	2nd person plural
ἐλέγοντο	they were said, used to be said	3rd person plural

First Aorist Indicative Active of λέγω

To obtain the aorist tense stem of λέγω, remove the ending -α from the third principal part. What remains is the augmented aorist active and middle tense stem, ἐλεξ-. To this stem, ἐλεξ-, add the first aorist active endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
ἔλεξα	I said	1st person singular
ἔλεξας	you said	2nd person singular
ἔλεξε (ν)	he, she, it said	3rd person singular
ἐλέξαμεν	we said	1st person plural
ἐλέξατε	you said	2nd person plural
ἔλεξαν	they said	3rd person plural

First Aorist Infinitive Active of λέγω

To obtain the stem, remove the past indicative augment from ἐλεξ-. What remains, λεξ-, is the unaugmented stem. To this stem, add the first aorist active infinitive ending, -αι.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
λέξαι	to say	unmarked

1. Note that the first aorist infinitive active is ALWAYS accented on the penult. Thus its accent is persistent. Remember that final -αι and -οι count as short for purposes of accentuation except in the optative, a mood learned in Part II of the 21st-Century series.

First Aorist Indicative Middle of λέγω

Use the same stem as you did for the active voice, ἐλεξ-. To this augmented stem add the first aorist middle endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
ἐλεξάμην	I chose	1st person singular
ἐλέξω (ασο)	you chose	2nd person singular
ἐλέξατο	he, she, it chose	3rd person singular
ἐλεξάμεθα	we chose	1st person plural
ἐλέξασθε	you chose	2nd person plural
ἐλέξαντο	they chose	3rd person plural

1. In the second person singular, intervocalic sigma drops out and the vowels contract: alpha and omicron, α + ο, to ω.

First Aorist Infinitive Middle of λέγω

To obtain the stem remove the past indicative augment from ἐλεξ-. What remains is the unaugmented stem, λεξ-. To this stem add the first aorist middle infinitive ending, -ασθαι.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
λέξασθαι	to choose	unmarked

1. Remember that final -αι and -οι count as short for purposes of accentuation except in the optative, a mood learned in Part II of the 21st-Century series.

Aorist Indicative Passive of λέγω

To obtain the aorist tense stem of λέγω, remove the ending -ην from the sixth principal part. What remains is the augmented aorist passive tense stem, ἐλέχθ-. To this stem, ἐλέχθ-, add the aorist passive endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
ἐλέχθην	I was said	1st person singular
ἐλέχθης	you were said	2nd person singular
ἐλέχθη	he, she, it was said	3rd person singular
ἐλέχθημεν	we were said	1st person plural
ἐλέχθητε	you were said	2nd person plural
ἐλέχθησαν	they were said	3rd person plural

Aorist Infinitive Passive of λέγω

To obtain the stem remove the past indicative augment from ἐλέχθ-. What remains is the unaugmented stem, λέχθ-. To this stem, add the aorist passive infinitive ending, -ῆναι.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
λεχθῆναι	to be said	unmarked

1. Remember that the aorist infinitive passive is ALWAYS accented on the penult. Thus its accent is persistent. Remember that final -αι and -οι count as short for purposes of accentuation except in the optative, a mood learned in Part II of the 21st-Century series.

Imperfect Indicative Active of ἔχω

To obtain the imperfect tense stem of ἔχω, remove the ending -ω from the first principal part to obtain the stem ἔχ-. Augment the stem, noting that the augmented stem is not the expected eta η-, but rather the diphthong ει-. To this augmented stem, εἰχ-, add the imperfect active endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
εἶχον	I have, was having, used to have	1st person singular
εἶχες	you have, were having, used to have	2nd person singular
εἶχε (ν)	he, she, it has, was having, used to have	3rd person singular
εἴχομεν	we have, were having, used to have	1st person plural
εἴχετε	you have, were having, used to have	2nd person plural
εἶχον	they have, were having, used to have	3rd person plural

1. Note that according to the chart the expected past indicative augment for ἔχω is η-. ἔχω is an exception to the general rule for augmenting verbs that begin with vowels.

Imperfect Indicative Middle of ἔχω

Use the same augmented stem as you used for the active voice, εἰχ-. To this stem, add the imperfect middle and passive endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
εἰχόμην	I clung, was clinging, used to cling	1st person singular
εἴχου (εσο)	you clung, were clinging, used to cling	2nd person singular
εἴχετο	he, she, it clung, was clinging, used to cling	3rd person singular
εἰχόμεθα	we clung, were clinging, used to cling	1st person plural
εἴχεσθε	you clung, were clinging, used to cling	2nd person plural
εἴχοντο	they clung, were clinging, used to cling	3rd person plural

1. In the second person singular, intervocalic sigma drops out and the vowels contract: epsilon and omicron, ε + ο, to ου.

Imperfect Indicative Passive of ἔχω

Use the same stem as you used for the active and middle voices, εἰχ-. To this stem, add the imperfect middle and passive endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
εἰχόμην	I was held, used to be held	1st person singular
εἴχου (εσο)	you were held, used to be held	2nd person singular
εἴχετο	he, she, it was held, used to be held	3rd person singular
εἰχόμεθα	we were held, used to be held	1st person plural
εἴχεσθε	you were held, used to be held	2nd person plural
εἴχοντο	they were held, used to be held	3rd person plural

1. In the second person singular, intervocalic sigma drops out and the vowels contract: epsilon and omicron, ε + ο, to ου.

Second Aorist Indicative Active of ἔχω

To obtain the aorist tense stem of ἔχω, remove the ending -ον from the third principal part. What remains is the augmented aorist active and middle tense stem, ἐσχ-. To this stem, ἐσχ-, add the second aorist active endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
ἔσχον	I had	1st person singular
ἔσχες	you had	2nd person singular
ἔσχε (ν)	he, she, it had	3rd person singular
ἔσχομεν	we had	1st person plural
ἔσχετε	you had	2nd person plural
ἔσχον	they had	3rd person plural

Second Aorist Infinitive Active of ἔχω

To obtain the stem, remove the past indicative augment from ἐσχ-. To this unaugmented stem, σχ-, add the second aorist active infinitive ending, -εῖν.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
σχεῖν	to have	unmarked

1. Note that the second aorist infinitive active is ALWAYS accented on the ultima. Thus its accent is persistent.

Second Aorist Indicative Middle of ἔχω

Use the same stem, ἐσχ-, as you used for the active voice. To this augmented stem, ἐσχ-, add the second aorist middle endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
ἐσχόμην	I clung	1st person singular
ἔσχου (εσο)	you clung	2nd person singular
ἔσχετο	he, she, it clung	3rd person singular
ἐσχόμεθα	we clung	1st person plural
ἔσχεσθε	you clung	2nd person plural
ἔσχοντο	they clung	3rd person plural

1. In the second person singular, intervocalic sigma drops out and the vowels contract: epsilon and omicron, ε + ο, to ου.

Second Aorist Infinitive Middle of ἔχω

To obtain the stem, remove the past indicative augment from ἐσχ-. To this unaugmented stem, σχ-, add the second aorist middle infinitive ending, -έσθαι.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
σχέσθαι	to cling	unmarked

1. Note that the second aorist infinitive middle is ALWAYS accented on the penult. Thus its accent is persistent. Remember that final -αι and -οι count as short for purposes of accentuation except in the optative, a mood learned in Part II of the 21st-Century series.

Imperfect Indicative of ἐργάζομαι

To obtain the imperfect tense stem of ἐργάζομαι, remove the ending -ομαι from the first principal part to obtain the stem ἐργαζ-. Augment the stem to an eta, η-. To this augmented stem, ἠργαζ-, add the imperfect middle and passive endings. Remember that deponent verbs are similar to ω-verbs, except that they have middle and passive forms but active meanings. Deponent ω-verbs conjugate just as ἐργάζομαι does. In the readings use your knowledge of ἐργάζομαι to recognize and translate the forms of other deponent ω-verbs.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἠργαζόμην	I did, was doing, used to do	1st person singular
ἠργάζου (εσο)	you did, were doing, used to do	2nd person singular
ἠργάζετο	he, she, it did, was doing, used to do	3rd person singular
ἠργαζόμεθα	we did, were doing, used to do	1st person plural
ἠργάζεσθε	you did, were doing, used to do	2nd person plural
ἠργάζοντο	they did, were doing, used to do	3rd person plural

1. In the second person singular, intervocalic sigma drops out and the vowels contract: epsilon and omicron, ε + ο, to ου.

Aorist Indicative of ἐργάζομαι

To obtain the aorist tense stem of ἐργάζομαι, remove the ending -αμην from the third principal part to obtain the augmented stem ἠργασ-. To this stem, ἠργασ-, add the aorist middle endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
ἠργασάμην	I did	1st person singular
ἠργάσω (ασο)	you did	2nd person singular
ἠργάσατο	he, she, it did	3rd person singular
ἠργασάμεθα	we did	1st person plural
ἠργάσασθε	you did	2nd person plural
ἠργάσαντο	they did	3rd person plural

1. In the second person singular, intervocalic sigma drops out and the vowels contract: alpha and omicron, α + ο, to ω.

Aorist Infinitive of ἐργάζομαι

To obtain the stem of ἐργάζομαι, remove the augment from ἠργασ-. To this unaugmented stem, ἐργασ-, add the first aorist middle infinitive ending, -ασθαι.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
ἐργάσασθαι	to do	unmarked

1. Remember that final -αι and -οι count as short for purposes of accentuation except in the optative, a mood learned in Part II of the 21st-Century series.

Stems for the Imperfect and Aorist Tenses of δίδωμι

Imperfect Tense Stems for the Active Voice of δίδωμι:

long vowel grade	short vowel grade
(use for the singular)	(use for the plural)
διδου-	διδο-

Imperfect Tense Stem for the Middle and Passive Voice of δίδωμι:

short vowel grade

(use for the singular and plural)

διδο-

Aorist Tense Stems for the Active Voice of δίδωμι:

ω-verb consonant stem	short vowel grade
(use for the singular)	(use for the plural)
δωκ-	δο-

Aorist Tense Stem for the Middle Voice of δίδωμι:

short vowel grade

(use for the singular and plural)

δο-

Aorist Tense Stem for the Passive Voice of δίδωμι:

ω-verb consonant stem

(use for the singular and plural)

δοθ-

Endings for the Imperfect and Aorist Tenses of δίδωμι

Add these endings and the past indicative augment to the correct tense stem.

Secondary Active (use for the imperfect active) S PL -ν -μεν -ς -τε --- -σαν	(use for the aorist active) S PL -α -μεν -ας -τε -ε (ν) -σαν
Secondary Middle and Passive (use for the imperfect middle and passive and the aorist middle) S Pl -μην -μεθα -σο -σθε -το -ντο
Secondary Passive (use for the aorist passive) S Pl -ην -ημεν -ης -ητε -η -ησαν

Conjugation of δίδωμι

The principal parts are these:

δίδωμι, δώσω, ἔδωκα, δέδωκα, δέδομαι, ἐδόθην

Remember that to conjugate correctly, you need to combine the correct stem with the correct endings.

Imperfect Indicative Active of δίδωμι

Singular: long vowel grade, διδου- + past indicative augment and secondary active endings. Plural: short vowel grade, διδο-, + past indicative augment and secondary active endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἐδίδουν	I was giving, used to give	1st person singular
ἐδίδους	you were giving, used to give	2nd person singular
ἐδίδου	he, she, it was giving, used to give	3rd person singular
ἐδίδομεν	we were giving, used to give	1st person plural
ἐδίδοτε	you were giving, used to give	2nd person plural
ἐδίδοσαν	they were giving, used to give	3rd person plural

Imperfect Indicative Middle of δίδωμι

Short vowel grade stem, διδο-, + past indicative augment and secondary middle and passive endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἐδιδόμην	I was devoting, used to devote	1st person singular
ἐδίδοσο	you were devoting, used to devote	2nd person singular
ἐδίδοτο	he, she, it was devoting, used to devote	3rd person singular
ἐδιδόμεθα	we were devoting, used to devote	1st person plural
ἐδίδοσθε	you were devoting, used to devote	2nd person plural
ἐδίδοντο	they were devoting, used to devote	3rd person plural

Imperfect Indicative Passive of δίδωμι

Short vowel grade stem, διδο-, + past indicative augment and secondary middle and passive endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἐδιδόμην	I was being given, used to be given	1st person singular
ἐδίδοσο	you were being given, used to be given	2nd person singular
ἐδίδοτο	he, she, it was being given, used to be given	3rd person singular
ἐδιδόμεθα	we were being given, used to be given	1st person plural
ἐδίδοσθε	you were being given, used to be given	2nd person plural
ἐδίδοντο	they were being given, used to be given	3rd person plural

Aorist Indicative Active of δίδωμι

Singular: ω-verb augmented stem, ἐδωκ-, + first aorist endings. Plural: short vowel grade stem, δο-, + past indicative augment and secondary active endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἔδωκα	I gave	1st person singular
ἔδωκας	you gave	2nd person singular
ἔδωκε (ν)	he, she, it gave	3rd person singular
ἔδομεν	we gave	1st person plural
ἔδοτε	you gave	2nd person plural
ἔδοσαν	they gave	3rd person plural

Aorist Infinitive Active of δίδωμι

Long vowel grade, δου-, + active infinitive ending, -ναι.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
δοῦναι	to give	unmarked

1. Note that infinitives with the ending -ναι are ALWAYS accented on the penult. Thus their accent is persistent. Remember that final -αι and -οι count as short for purposes of accentuation except in the optative, a mood learned in Part II of the 21st-Century series.

Aorist Indicative Middle of δίδωμι

Short vowel grade, δο-, + past indicative augment and secondary middle endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἐδόμην	I devoted	1st person singular
ἔδου (ἔδοσο)	you devoted	2nd person singular
ἔδοτο	he, she, it devoted	3rd person singular
ἐδόμεθα	we devoted	1st person plural
ἔδοσθε	you devoted	2nd person plural
ἔδοντο	they devoted	3rd person plural

1. Note that in the second person singular intervocalic sigma drops out and the two omicrons, ο + ο, contract to the diphthong ου.

Aorist Infinitive Middle of δίδωμι

Short vowel grade, δο-, + middle infinitive ending, -σθαι.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
δόσθαι	to devote	unmarked

Aorist Indicative Passive of δίδωμι

ω-verb augmented consonant stem, ἐδοθ-, + ω-verb aorist passive endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἐδόθην	I was given	1st person singular
ἐδόθης	you were given	2nd person singular
ἐδόθη	he, she, it was given	3rd person singular
ἐδόθημεν	we were given	1st person plural
ἐδόθητε	you were given	2nd person plural
ἐδόθησαν	they were given	3rd person plural

Aorist Infinitive Passive of δίδωμι

ω-verb consonant stem, δοθ-, + aorist passive infinitive ending, -ηναι.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
δοθῆναι	to be given	unmarked

1. Note that infinitives with the ending -ναι are ALWAYS accented on the penult. Thus their accent is persistent. Remember that final -αι and –οι count as short for purposes of accentuation except in the optative, a mood learned in Part II of the 21st-Century series.

Stems for the Imperfect and Aorist Tenses of τίθημι

Imperfect Tense Stems for the Active Voice of τίθημι:

long vowel grade	short vowel grade
(use for the singular)	(use for the plural)
τιθη- or τιθει-	τιθε-

Imperfect Tense Stem for the Middle and Passive Voice of τίθημι:

short vowel grade

(use for the singular and plural)

τιθε-

Aorist Tense Stems for the Active Voice of τίθημι:

ω-verb consonant stem	short vowel grade
(use for the singular)	(use for the plural)
θηκ-	θε-

Aorist Tense Stem for the Middle Voice of τίθημι:

short vowel grade

(use for the singular and plural)

θε-

Aorist Tense Stem for the Passive Voice of τίθημι:

ω-verb consonant stem

(use for the singular and plural)

τεθ-

Endings for the Imperfect and Aorist Tenses of τίθημι

Add these endings to the correct tense stem.

Secondary Active (use for the imperfect active) S PL -ν -μεν -ς -τε --- -σαν	(use for the aorist active) S PL -α -μεν -ας -τε -ε (ν) -σαν
Secondary Middle and Passive (use for the imperfect middle and passive and the aorist middle)     S Pl -μην -μεθα -σο -σθε -το -ντο
Secondary Passive (use for the aorist passive) S Pl -ην -ημεν -ης -ητε -η -ησαν

Conjugation of τίθημι

The principal parts are these:

τίθημι, θήσω, ἔθηκα, τέθηκα, τέθειμαι, ἐτέθην

Remember that to conjugate correctly, you need to combine the correct stem with the correct endings.

Imperfect Indicative Active of τίθημι

Singular: long vowel grades, τιθη- and τιθει-, + past indicative augment and secondary active endings; plural: short vowel grade, τιθε-, + past indicative augment and secondary active endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἐτίθην	I was placing, used to place	1st person singular
ἐτίθεις	you were placing, used to place	2nd person singular
ἐτίθει	he, she, it was placing, used to place	3rd person singular
ἐτίθεμεν	we were placing, used to place	1st person plural
ἐτίθετε	you were placing, used to place	2nd person plural
ἐτίθεσαν	they were placing, used to place	3rd person plural

Imperfect Indicative Middle of τίθημι

Short vowel grade stem, τιθε-, + past indicative augment and secondary middle and passive endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἐτιθέμην	I was setting, used to set	1st person singular
ἐτίθεσο	you were setting, used to set	2nd person singular
ἐτίθετο	he, she, it was setting, used to set	3rd person singular
ἐτιθέμεθα	we were setting, used to set	1st person plural
ἐτίθεσθε	you were setting, used to set	2nd person plural
ἐτίθεντο	they were setting, used to set	3rd person plural

Imperfect Indicative Passive of τίθημι

Short vowel grade stem, τιθε-, + past indicative augment and secondary middle and passive endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἐτιθέμην	I was being placed, used to be placed	1st person singular
ἐτίθεσο	you were being placed, used to be placed	2nd person singular
ἐτίθετο	he, she, it was being placed, used to be placed	3rd person singular
ἐτιθέμεθα	we were being placed, used to be placed	1st person plural
ἐτίθεσθε	you were being placed, used to be placed	2nd person plural
ἐτίθεντο	they were being placed, used to be placed	3rd person plural

Aorist Indicative Active of τίθημι

Singular: augmented ω-verb stem, ἐθηκ-, + first aorist active endings. Plural: short vowel grade stem, θε-, + past indicative augment + secondary active endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἔθηκα	I placed	1st person singular
ἔθηκας	you placed	2nd person singular
ἔθηκε (ν)	he, she, it placed	3rd person singular
ἔθεμεν	we placed	1st person plural
ἔθετε	you placed	2nd person plural
ἔθεσαν	they placed	3rd person plural

Aorist Infinitive Active of τίθημι

Long vowel grade, θει-, + active infinitive ending, -ναι.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
θεῖναι	to place	unmarked

1. Note that infinitives with the ending -ναι are ALWAYS accented on the penult. Thus their accent is persistent. Remember that final -αι and -οι count as short for purposes of accentuation except in the optative, a mood learned in Part II of the 21st-Century series.

Aorist Indicative Middle of τίθημι

Short vowel grade, θε-, + past indicative augment and secondary middle endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἐθέμην	I set	1st person singular
ἔθου (ἔθεσο)	you set	2nd person singular
ἔθετο	he, she, it set	3rd person singular
ἐθέμεθα	we set	1st person plural
ἔθεσθε	you set	2nd person plural
ἔθεντο	they set	3rd person plural

1. Note that in the second person singular intervocalic sigma drops out and the epsilon and omicron, ε + ο, contract to the diphthong ου.

Aorist Infinitive Middle of τίθημι

Short vowel grade, θε-, + aorist middle infinitive ending, -σθαι.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
θέσθαι	to set	unmarked

Aorist Indicative Passive of τίθημι

ω-verb augmented consonant stem, ἐτεθ-, + ω-verb aorist passive endings.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and #
ἐτέθην	I was placed	1st person singular
ἐτέθης	you were placed	2nd person singular
ἐτέθη	he, she, it was placed	3rd person singular
ἐτέθημεν	we were placed	1st person plural
ἐτέθητε	you were placed	2nd person plural
ἐτέθησαν	they were placed	3rd person plural

Aorist Infinitive Passive of τίθημι

ω-verb unaugmented consonant stem, τεθ-, + aorist infinitive passive ending, -ηναι.

Verb Form	English Equivalent	Person and Number
τεθῆναι	to be placed	unmarked

1. Note that infinitives with the ending -ναι are ALWAYS accented on the penult. Thus their accent is persistent. Remember that final -αι and -οι count as short for purposes of accentuation except in the optative, a mood learned in Part II of the 21st-Century series.

Practice Translating the Imperfect and Aorist Indicative Active. Check your understanding with the translations in the Answer Key.

1. ἡμᾶς κακὰ ἐποίουν.
2. αὐτοὺς ἔρχεσθαι ἔπειθον.
3. αὐτοὺς ἐλαύνειν ἔπεισα.
4. τί ἔφυγον ἔρομαι.
5. ταῦτα σφίσιν ἔγραψας;
6. αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ γῇ ηὗρον.
7. πολλὰ ὑπὸ ἐκείνων ἐπάθομεν.
8. ζάειν εἰς αἰεὶ ἠθέλησαν.
9. αὐτοὺς παρασχεῖν τὰ χρήματα ἐκέλευσε.
10. ταῦτα αἱρήσειν ἐμέλλομεν.

Vocabulary

*αἱρέω, αἱρήσω, εἷλον take, seize, grab, capture; (mid.) choose

*γράφω, γράψω, ἔγραψα write

*ἐθέλω, ἐθελήσω, ἠθέλησα wish, be willing

*ἔρομαι (εἴρομαι), ἐρήσομαι (εἰρήσομαι), ἠρόμην ask

*εὑρίσκω, εὑρήσω, ηὗρον find

*ἔχω, ἕξω or σχήσω, ἔσχον have, hold; be able + inf.; καλῶς ἔχειν to be well

*ζάω live

*κελεύω, κελεύσω, ἐκέλευσα bid, order, command

*μέλλω, μελλήσω, ἐμέλλησα be about to, be going to; be likely to + inf. (fut. inf. in Attic)

*πάσχω, πείσομαι, ἔπαθον suffer, have done to one

*πείθω, πείσω, ἔπεισα persuade; (mid. or pass.) listen to, obey + dat. or gen.

*ποιέω, ποιήσω, ἐποίησα do, make, cause; (mid.) consider

*φεύγω, φεύξομαι, ἔφυγον flee

1. The asterisk indicates the top 250 most frequently occurring vocabulary, which you are to memorize.

Philoktetes, Φιλοκτήτης. Philoktetes was born in Thessaly to Poias and Demonassa, king and queen of Meliboia, a Thessalian city. A Greek hero, Philoktetes was a famous archer, a suitor to Helen, and a participant in the Trojan War. At least four different tragic plays told his story. Sophokles’ version is the only one to survive. In Iliad Book 2, Homer mentions his exile on the island of Lemnos, his snake-bite, and his recall from Lemnos back to Troy. Philoktetes enters the story of Herakles when Herakles, in pain from wearing a shirt poisoned by the blood of Nessos, asks him to end his agony by lighting his funeral pyre. Previously, Herakles had asked several people for assistance but they all refused. Philoktetes agrees to help him and lights the pyre. In gratitude Herakles gives him his bow and poisoned arrows. Philoktetes was also a suitor to Helen. All suitors swore an oath to Helen’s mortal father, Tyndareus, promising that they would defend Helen and the suitor chosen to be her spouse. Menelaos was chosen and married her. When Paris abducted Helen, Philoktetes honored his oath and participated in the quest to reclaim Menelaos’ bride. En route to Troy with many other Greeks, Philoktetes suffered a wound to his foot. The wound festered. The smell was so foul and Philoktetes’ suffering so loud that the Greeks left him stranded on the island of Lemnos. Ten years later because there was a prophecy that they would not conquer Troy without his help and his bow, the Greeks returned to Lemnos to ask Philoktetes to help them win the war and Helen back. Sophokles’ play, Philoktetes, concerns convincing, forcing, or tricking Philoktetes into returning to Troy. Odysseus counsels using trickery. Neoptolemos, Akhilleus’ son, counsels force and transparency.

Practice Translating. Translate the sentences below, which have been adapted from Sophokles’ Philoktetes (Φιλοκτήτης). Remember the meanings and functions of the cases presented in Module 7. Use your memory to identify endings and their functions. If you forget an ending or a function, consult the Adjective, Adverb, Noun, and Pronoun Chart in Appendix VIII and the Case and Function Chart in Appendix I. Check your understanding with the translations in the Answer Key, making sure that you understand why each word translates as it does. Now go back and read each sentence two or three times, noticing with each rereading how much better your understanding of the sentence becomes. Make this a habit and you will improve quickly.

	Νεοπτόλεμος: οὐκ αἰσχρὸν ἡμῖν δῆτα τὸ ψευδὲς λέγειν;
	Ὀδυσσεύς: οὐκ εἰ τὸ σωτήριον γε τὸ ψεῦδος φέρει.
	Νεοπτόλεμος: πῶς οὖν ἔχει τις βλέπων ταῦτα τολμᾷ λακεῖν;
	Ὀδυσσεύς: εἴ τι δρᾷς εἰς κέρδος, οὐκ ὀκνεῖν πρέπει.
5	Νεοπτόλεμος: κέρδος δ’ ἐμοὶ τί εἰ οὗτος ἐς Τροίαν μολεῖ;
	Ὀδυσσεύς: αἱρεῖ τὰ τόξα τὴν Τροίαν μόνα.
	Νεοπτόλεμος: οὐκ ἆρα πέρσω, ὡς ἐμοὶ ἐφάσκετʼ, ἐγώ;
	Ὀδυσσεύς: οὔτε πέρσεις σὺ κείνων χωρὶς οὔτ’ ἐκεῖνα σοῦ.
	Νεοπτόλεμος: ταῦτα οὖν δεῖ λαβεῖν, εἴπερ ὧδ’ ἔχει.
10	Ὀδυσσεύς: τοῦτό γ’ ἔρδων, δύο οἴσεις δωρήματα.
	Νεοπτόλεμος: ποῖα; ἐκ σοῦ ταῦτα μανθάνων, οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι δρᾶν.
	Ὀδυσσεύς: σὲ σοφόν τε καὶ ἀγαθὸν σὲ καλοῦσιν ἅμα.
	Νεοπτόλεμος: οἴμοι. ταῦτα ποιήσω καὶ πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην ἀφήσω.
	Ὀδυσσεύς: ἦ μνημονεύσεις οὖν ἃ σοὶ παρῄνεσα;
15	Νεοπτόλεμος: σάφ’ οἶσθα, ἐπείπερ εἰσάπαξ συνῄνεσα.

Adverbs and Verbs

*αἱρέω, αἱρήσω, εἷλον take, seize, grab, capture; (mid.) choose	μνημονεύω, μνημονεύσω, ἐμνημόνευσα remember; mention, say
ἆρα indicates a question, often expects the answer no; ἆρα οὐ expects a yes	οἴμοι alas
ἀρνέομαι, ἀρνήσομαι, ἠρνησάμην deny, disown; decline, refuse + inf.	ὀκνέω, ὀκνήσω, ὤκνησα shrink, scruple, hesitate + inf.
ἀφίημι, ἀφήσω, ἀφῆκα send forth, discharge, let go, call off; suffer, permit	παραινέω, -αινέσω, -ῄνεσα exhort, advise + inf.
βλώσκω, μολέομαι, ἔμολον come, go	πέρθω, πέρσω, ἔπερσα waste, ravage, sack, destroy
*δεῖ it is necessary + ‘x’ in gen. or dat. or acc. + inf., δεῖ ἐλθεῖν it is necessary to come	*ποιέω, ποιήσω, ἐποίησα do, make, cause; (mid.) consider
δῆτα certainly, of course	πρέπει (impers.) it is fitting + inf.
δράω, δράσω, ἔδρᾱσα do, accomplish, act	σάφα clearly, evidently
*εἰμί, ἔσομαι be, be possible	συναινέω, -αινέσω, -ῄνεσα praise; concede, give; agree, consent + inf.
εἰσάπαξ at once, once, already	τολμάω (τολμέω Ionic), τολμήσω, ἐτόλμησα dare, be daring, undertake + inf.
*ἔχω, ἕξω or σχήσω, ἔσχον have, hold; be able + inf.; καλῶς ἔχειν to be well	φάσκω say, affirm, assert
*καλέω, καλέω, ἐκάλεσα call	*φέρω, οἴσω, ἤνεγκα or ἤνεγκον bring, bear, carry; endure
λακέω scream, shout; utter	χωρίς apart from, seperately + gen.
*λέγω, λέξω or ἐρέω, ἔλεξα or εἶπον say, tell, speak	ὧδε in this wise, thus

Adjectives, Nouns, Pronouns

*ἀγαθός, ἀγαθή, ἀγαθόν good, noble	*μόνος, μόνη, μόνον only, sole, alone, solitary; one
αἰσχρός, αἰσχρά, αἰσχρόν shameful, disgrasceful, ugly, base	*πᾶσα, πάσης ἡ all, each, whole
αἰσχύνη, αἰσχύνης ἡ shame, dishonor	ποῖος, ποία, ποῖον of what sort
βλέπων, βλέποντος ὁ looking at, seeing	σοφός, σοφή, σοφόν wise
*δύο two	σωτήριον, σωτηρίου τό safety, security
δώρημα, δωρήματος τό gift, present	τόξον, τόξου τό bow
ἔρδων, ἔρδοντος ὁ doing	Τροία, Τροίας ἡ Troy
*κεῖνος = ἐκεῖνος	ψευδής, ψευδές false
κέρδος, κέρδεος (-ους) τό gain, profit	ψεῦδος, ψεύδεος (-ους) τό falsehood, lie
*μανθάνων, μανθάνοντος ὁ learning, learning how to; understanding

1. The asterisk indicates the top 250 most frequently occurring vocabulary, which you are to memorize.

Practice Parsing Greek Sentences. Parse each word of the sentence found below. For nouns and pronouns, give case and function. For verbs, give person, number, tense, mood, and voice. For adverbs and conjunctions, identify them. For prepositional phrases, give the preposition and the preposition’s object. For adjectives, specify the noun they agree with in gender, number, and case.

σὲ σοφόν τε καὶ ἀγαθὸν σὲ καλέουσιν ἅμα.

Check your answers with those in the Answer Key.

Module 23 Top 250 Vocabulary to be Memorized. Like learning the alphabet and endings, memorizing vocabulary is essential to acquiring language. The better you memorize the top 250 most frequently occurring vocabulary words, the greater mastery of the language you will have.

Nouns

δῆμος, δήμου ὁ people

στρατηγός, στρατηγοῦ ὁ general

τρόπος, τρόπου ὁ way, manner, turn; (pl.) character

υἱός, υἱοῦ ὁ son, child

ψυχή, ψυχῆς ἡ life, soul, spirit

Verbs

ἀπόλλυμι, ἀπολέω, ἀπώλεσα (trans.) or ἀπωλόμην (intrans.), ἀπολώλεκα (trans.) or ἀπόλωλα (intrans.), ------, ------ kill, lose; (mid. and intrans.) die, cease to exist

γράφω, γράψω, ἔγραψα, γέγραφα, γέγραμμαι, ἐγράφην write

δείκνῡμι, δείξω (δέξω), ἔδειξα (ἔδεξα), δέδειχα, δέδειγμαι, ἐδείχθην show, display

χρή (inf. χρῆναι < χρὴ + εἶναι; imp. ἐχρῆν or χρῆν < χρὴ + ἦν; fut. χρήσει), χρῆσται (χρὴ + ἔσται) it is necessary + inf.

Etymology Corner XXIII by Dr. E. Del Chrol

Technical Terms 19, Parts of Speech

Verbs, cont. As with tense and tense being unrelated homonyms, grammatical mood comes from a different root than that of your emotional mood. Grammatical moods are not about how a verb is feeling, but which mode of expression it is in. In fact, mode shifted to mood in Middle English and is attested in grammatical texts around 1450 CE. Though identifying indicatives, optatives, and subjunctives may make you cranky some days, that’s your problem, not Greek’s. Those poor verbs are just trying to signify a quality of the verb. Each of the moods is aptly named as well.

• We already discussed infinitives a little bit earlier. Imperatives come from the Latin command (imperare) and are used for ordering people to do things. The Greek for imperative is προστακτικός, and you can see what gives us the English tactic at the root of it. Think of the English adjective imperative meaning something that you have to do as if you were commanded to do it.
• Indicative statements indicate something about reality, that is, they speak towards something (Latin in + dicare). Your pointer finger is also called your index finger, and comes from the same root. It makes sense because when you are pointing something out, speaking towards an object, you are probably pointing at it with your index finger. Indicatives point at what happens or happened for real (at least as the speaker asserts it is).
• Optatives and subjunctives feel similar in their ways of describing hypothetical or supposed situations, though be careful because sometimes it’s for primarily grammatical reasons as you will see. The opt part of optative you recognize as meaning to choose, or desire, or wish for, hence its use in Greek grammar, the term deriving from Latin. Subjunctive is a little trickier. It comes from joined underneath (jungere, like in junction or conjunction which we met before + sub, like a submarine which goes under the water). Even though there are a few independent uses of the subjunctive, they are mostly found in subordinate clauses, so they are in a way attached under the main idea.

What to Study and Do 23. Before moving on to the next module, make sure that you have memorized the verb endings for the imperfect and the aorist and that you can decline these tenses from memory. Also make sure you know how to put augments on and take them off when forming the imperfect and aorist tenses. Finally, have a good understanding of the aspectual differences between the aorist and the imperfect tenses.

Learning Tip 23: Use Word Numbers. Remembering dates and long strings of numbers is challenging. Consider the phrase,

American presidential candidates

and this number

347 294 012 157 211 10

Which is easier to remember, the number or the phrase? The phrase, of course. In this learning tip, you learn how to use word numbers in order to remember dates. Each number from 0–9 represents specific sounds.

0 = soft c (dice), s, and z

1 = d and t

2 = n

3 = m

4 = r

5 = l

6 = soft ch (Chigago), sh, soft g (gym), and j

7 = hard c (coat), hard g, k

8 = f and v

9 = b and p

The vowel sounds, a, e, i, o, u and the letters w, h, y are not represented by a number. They are blanks. The word cave represents the number 78. The word lamely from stepping into Herakleitos’ river represents the number 535. The words leaven from Anne of Green Gables’ making bread as she reads Anakreon’s lost corpus represents the number 582. For Mimnermos the word James of Jesse James’ making fun of me because I’m nervous to eat a bun filled with snake eyes represents the number 630. Shims that I use to remove sap from my shoe for Sappho also represents the number 630. The television was invented in 1926. Punch represents the number 926. You can imagine yourself punching the TV to make it come to life. For the number 1926, we only represent the last three numbers. In 1942 the first computer was invented. Imagine a computer the shape and size of a barn being assembled in an even bigger barn by barn yard animals. The one is again omitted. Remember this number,

347 294 012 157 211 10?

The phrase American presidential candidates represents it:

Am (3) er (4) ic (7) an (2) p (9) r (4) es (0) id (1) en (2) t (1) ial (5)

c (7) an (2) d (1) id (1) at (1) es (0).

For additional strategies in using numbers as a way to remember essential information, read Kevin Horsley’s book Unlimited Memory (2014) and Tony Buzan’s Use Your Perfect Memory (1990).