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352. Verbal Adjectives are formed by adding -τός (-τή, -τόν) and -τέος (-ᾱ, -ον) to the verb stem as it appears in the aorist passive (observing the rule in § 43); sometimes an extra -σ- appears before the -τ-.

353. Most verbals in -τος either:

1. denote the capability or possibility of the action of the verb (cp. Latin -bilis, English -able), or
2. have the force of a perfect passive participle (Latin -tus).

ζηλόω : ζηλωτός (enviable or envied)
νοέω : νοη-τός (thinkable)
ποιέω : ποιη-τός (made)

a. Some verbals in -τος have an active meaning.

ῥέω : ῥυ-τός (flowing)

b. Compound verbals in -τος in the first meaning accent the ultima and have three endings; in the second meaning they have recessive accent and two endings.

διαβαίνω : διαβατός, , -όν (fordable)
γράφω : ἄγραπτος, -ον (unwritten)

354. The verbal in -τέος has the general force (but not all the uses) of the Latin gerundive or participle in -ndus.

πρᾱκ-τέος requiring to be done [Latin faciendus]

Suggested Citation

Meagan Ayer, ed. Goodell’s School Grammar of Attic Greek. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Dickinson College Commentaries, 2018. ISBN: 978-1-947822-10-8.https://dcc.dickinson.edu/grammar/goodell/verbal-adjectives-%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%82-and-%CF%84%CE%B5%CE%BF%CF%82