39.6 A participle is ATTRIBUTIVE when a definite article precedes it (S 2049-2053, G 582). In this use, the participle is primarily an adjective. The participle can refer to a specific person or persons doing the action or to the whole class of people who perform this action.
- οἱ ἄνδρες φεύγουσιν.
- The men flee.
- οἱ φεύγοντες ἄνδρες…
- The fleeing men…
- The men who flee…
- οὐ τιμῶμεν τοὺς ἐκ τῆς μάχης φεύγοντας.
- We do not honor those fleeing from battle.
- We do not honor the men who flee from battle.