43.13 Now that we have learned the PERFECT PARTICIPLE, we can turn to the PERIPHRASTIC construction.
Both Greek and English lack single verb forms that are both PERFECT and PASSIVE. Each language uses combinations of a PARTICIPLE and AUXILIARY verb to convey the PERFECT PASSIVE. In English, for example, we say:
- The ball has been kicked.
To form the PERIPHRASTIC of the perfect tense in the MIDDLE or PASSIVE voice, Greek uses:
- The form of the PERFECT MIDDLE PARTICIPLE that matches the GENDER and NUMBER of the subject.
- The PRESENT tense form of εἰμί that matches the PERSON and NUMBER of the subject.
As discussed above, Greek prefers to have a PERIPHRASTIC construction for the 3rd person plural of PERFECT MIDDLE CONSONANT STEM verbs. Note, though, that even when Greek has a PERFECT MIDDLE that can be expressed in one form, it is not unusual for some authors to use a PERIPHRASTIC construction for all persons and numbers, particularly if the middle form is being used for the PASSIVE voice. Context will usually let you know whether the voice is intended to be MIDDLE or PASSIVE.