Formation of the Perfect Active

42.4 Greek tenses of the PERFECT SYSTEM add the following distinctive markers to the verb stem:

The initial sound of the VERB STEM is doubled. This addition, called REDUPLICATION, creates a PERFECT SYSTEM verb stem (S 439, G 288).

To mark the ACTIVE voice, verbs add the suffix –κ– to the perfect system stem. When adding –κ– to the verb stem is too difficult to pronounce, the –κ– merges or drops out.

42.5 Reduplication

You may recall that in the present tense, some verbs reduplicate their initial consonant sound, adding an –ι– for ease of pronunciation. For example:

• δω– → διδω– (present stem)

The PERFECT SYSTEM also reduplicates, adding an –ε– for ease of pronunciation (S 340, G 288). For example: 

• λυ → λελυ– (perfect stem)
• δεικ → δεδεικ– (perfect stem)
• γραφ → γεγραφ– (perfect stem)
• δω → δεδω– (perfect stem)

However, if the Greek verb stem starts with a vowel, an AUGMENT is added. Just as we saw with IMPERFECT verbs, the augment LENGTHENS a short vowel (S 442, G 288).

• ἀρχ → ἠρχ– (perfect stem)
• ἐθελη → ἠθελη– (perfect stem)

Recall that as a general rule, Greek does not allow ASPIRATED CONSONANTS to begin consecutive syllables (S 441).

• θη→ τεθη– (perfect stem)

Recall also that Greeks regularly drop an initial σ– if it comes right before a vowel (S 119, G 54). When this happens, the vowel marks this loss by receiving a rough breathing mark.

• στη → σεστη → ἑστη– (perfect stem)

42.6 –κ– Marker

In the ACTIVE voice, the marker –κ– is added to the PERFECT SYSTEM STEM. If the stem ends in a DENTAL (τ, δ, θ), the dental drops (S 556-560).

• λυ → λελυ– (perfect stem)
  • + –κ– → λελυκ– (perfect active stem)
• στη → ἑστη– (perfect stem)
  • + –κ– → ἑστηκ– (perfect active stem)
• δω → δεδω– (perfect stem)
  • + –κ– → δεδωκ– (perfect active stem)
• θη→ τεθη– (perfect stem)
  • + –κ– → τεθηκ– (perfect active stem)
• ποιε → πεποιη– (perfect stem)
  • + –κ– → πεποιηκ– (perfect active stem)
• δηλο → δεδηλω– (perfect stem)
  • + –κ– → δεδηλωκ– (perfect active stem)
• πειθ → πεπειθ– (perfect stem)
  • + –κ– → πεπεικ– (perfect active stem)
• ἀγγελ → ἠγγελ– (perfect stem)
  • + –κ– → ἠγγελκ– (perfect active stem)

Note that with CONTRACT VERBS (-έω, -άω, -όω verbs), the verb stem vowel LENGTHENS in the PERFECT STEM, just as it does when forming the FUTURE and FIRST AORIST tense stems (S 557)!

42.7 If the –κ– marker is added to a PERFECT TENSE STEM that ends in a LABIAL (π, β, φ), PALATAL (κ, γ, χ), or most stems ending in a LIQUID (λ, ρ), the –κ– merges or, more often, simply drops out to ease pronunciation (S 561-573).

• δεικ → δεδεικ– (perfect stem)
  • + –κ– → δεδεικκ → δεδειχ– (perfect active stem)
• γραφ → γεγραφ– (perfect stem)
  • + –κ– → γεγραφ– (perfect active stem)
• ἀρχ → ἠρχ– (perfect stem)
  • + –κ– → ἠρχ– (perfect active stem)