Infinitives Ancient Greek verbs

(greek: ἀπαρέμφατος aparémphatos not indicated ).

forms of infinitive (active)

the infinitive found in 3 voices, , in present, aorist, future, , perfect tenses. 4 infinitives of active voice of verb λύω (lúō) free follows:

present : λῡ́ειν (lúein) free (in general)
future : λῡ́σειν (lúsein) going free
aorist : λῦσαι (lûsai) free (at once)
perfect : λελυκέναι (lelukénai) have freed

many commonly used verbs, instead of aorist infinitive in -σαι (-sai), have 1 ending in -εῖν (-eîn) (with circumflex accent) instead. called strong aorist or 2nd aorist :

(strong) aorist : λαβεῖν (labeîn) take

contracting verbs have present infinitive ending in -ᾶν (-ân), -εῖν(-eîn) or -οῦν (-oûn):

present : ὁρᾶν (horân) see
present : ποιεῖν (poieîn)
present : δηλοῦν (dēloûn) show

verbs ending in -μι (-mi), such δίδωμι (dídōmi) give , have present , aorist infinitives end in -ναι (-nai):

present : διδόναι (didónai) give (in general)
aorist : δοῦναι (doûnai) give (now)

the irregular verb οἶδα (oîda) know has infinitive ending in -ναι (-nai):

present : εἰδέναι (eidénai) know

uses

the infinitive used after verbs meanings such wanted , ordered , tried , necessary , able etc. in english:

ἐκέλευσεν αὐτοὺς ἀπελθεῖν.
ekéleusen autoùs apeltheîn.
he ordered them go aside (aorist).

it can used indirect speech after verbs such φημί (phēmí ) or νομίζω (nomízō) think . subject of infinitive, if different subject of main verb, put in accusative case. when statement negative, word οὐ (ou) not goes in front of φημί (phēmí).

οὔ φᾱσιν εἶναι ἄλλην ὁδόν.
oú phāsin eînai állēn hodón.
there no other way (lit. not there way )

in greek infinitive used neuter definite article in various constructions. in case similar in meaning english verbal noun in -ing :

ἐπέσχομεν τοῦ δακρύειν
epéskhomen toû dakrúein.
we refrained weeping.




^ smyth. greek grammar colleges. § 385. 
^ smyth. greek grammar colleges. § 416. 
^ smyth. greek grammar colleges. § 794. 
^ smyth. greek grammar colleges. §§ 1991, 1992. 
^ thucydides, 6.58.1
^ smyth. greek grammar colleges. §§ 2016, 2017, 2018. 
^ xenophon, anabasis 4.1.21
^ smyth. greek grammar colleges. §§ 2025, 2032. 
^ plato, phaedo 117e