Greek Infinitive Phrase

32.9 For indirect statements that take an infinitive phrase, note the following similarities and differences between how Greek and English handles this construction:

• Usually, the Greek SUBJECT of the infinitive is rendered in the ACCUSATIVE case. This is called the SUBJECT ACCUSATIVE of the infinitive.
• However (!), if the SUBJECT of the infinitive happens to be the SAME SUBJECT as that of the main verb that introduces the infinitive phrase, Greek either LEAVES OUT the subject of the infinitive, or renders it in the NOMINATIVE for emphasis.
• Direct objects of a TRANSITIVE infinitive are also in the ACCUSATIVE. To avoid potential confusion, the SUBJECT ACCUSATIVE usually precedes any other accusatives in the infinitive phrase.
• The INFINITIVE is usually (but not always!) the last word of the phrase.

Let us look at some examples. All indirect statements are underlined.

32.10 Direct: αὕτη τὸ βιβλίον γράφει. She is writing the book.

• οὗτος νομίζει ταύτην τὸ βιβλίον γράφειν.
  • He thinks that she is writing the book.
• αὕτη νομίζει τὸ βιβλίον γράφειν.
  • She thinks that she (i.e., she, herself) is writing the book.
• ἡ γυνὴ νομίζει αὕτη τὸ βιβλίον γράφειν.
  • The woman (ἡ γυνή) thinks that she, herself, is writing the book.
• οὗτος λέγει ὅτι αὕτη τὸ βιβλίον γράφει.
  • He says that she is writing the book.
• οὗτος ἀκούει ταύτην τὸ βιβλίον γράφειν.
  • He hears that she is writing the book.
• οὗτος ἀκούει ὅτι αὕτη τὸ βιβλίον γράφει.
  • He hears that she is writing the book.

32.11 Direct: αὕτη τοὺς ἵππους μου λύειν ἐθέλει. She wants to free my horses.

• οὗτος νομίζει ταύτην τοὺς ἵππους μου λύειν ἐθέλειν.
  • He thinks that she wants to free my horses.
• αὕτη νομίζει τοὺς ἵππους μου λύειν ἐθέλειν.
  • She thinks that she (i.e., she, herself) wants to free my horses.
• νομίζει αὕτη τοὺς ἵππους μου λύειν ἐθέλειν.
  • She thinks that she, herself, wants to free my horses.
• οὗτος λέγει ὅτι αὕτη τοὺς ἵππους μου λύειν ἐθέλει.
  • He says that she wants to free my horses.
• οὗτος ἀκούει ταύτην τοὺς ἵππους μου λύειν ἐθέλειν.
  • He hears that she wants to free my horses.
• οὗτος ἀκούει ὅτι αὕτη τοὺς ἵππους μου λύειν ἐθέλει.
  • He hears that she wants to free my horses.

32.12 Direct: οὗτός ἐστι ποιητής. He is a poet.

• αὕτη νομίζει τοῦτον εἶναι ποιητήν.
  • She thinks that he is a poet.
  • Why is ποιητήν in the accusative?
• οὗτος νομίζει εἶναι ποιητής.
  • He thinks that he, himself, is a poet.
  • Why is ποιητής in the nominative?
• νομίζει οὗτος ποιητὴς εἶναι.
  • He thinks that he, himself, is a poet.
• αὕτη λέγει ὅτι οὗτός ἐστι ποιητής.
  • She says that he is a poet.
• αὕτη ἀκούει τοῦτον εἶναι ποιητήν.
  • She hears that he is a poet.
• αὕτη ἀκούει ὅτι οὗτος ποιητής ἐστιν.
  • She hears that he is a poet.