44.1 Greek tenses differ in what is called ASPECT. The PERFECT TENSE states that an action is completed now. The PLUPERFECT TENSE reflects the same aspect as the PERFECT, though for an action that was completed in the past. For example:
- I have arrived.
- Perfect: the speaker has now arrived.
- I had arrived.
- Pluperfect: the speaker arrived some time in the past.
Since the PERFECT and PLUPERFECT TENSES reflect the same aspect in Greek, they both are formed from the PERFECT STEM (S 1852b). As we previously learned, the PERFECT TENSE is a PRIMARY tense. The PLUPERFECT, however, is a SECONDARY tense, and so must be inflected with an augment and secondary endings.