28.20 If an infinitive is used as an ARTICULAR or a COMPLEMENTARY INFINITIVE, the present and aorist tenses of the infinitive are used to express ASPECT, not time (S 1865, G 563). In other words:

  • The PRESENT infinitive expresses activity that is ONGOING in some way.
  • The AORIST infinitive expresses a SIMPLE, single, momentary action.

For example:

  • βαίνειν βούλομαι. I want to go walking/to be walking.
    • Present infinitive.
  • βῆναι βούλομαι. I want to walk.
    • Aorist infinitive.
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First and Second Aorist Infinitive
Third Principal Part