Liquid Verbs

After studying the present and imperfect tense-forms, we discussed contract verbs (in chap. 7). As you will recall, the stem of a contract verb ends with the short vowel α, ε, or ο. When that vowel comes into contact with the connecting vowel at the head of the personal ending, a contraction occurs (ποιε + ομεν → ποιοῦμεν). Thus, the problem we encountered was too many vowels. The tenses affected were the present and imperfect.

With liquid verbs, we have just the opposite problem—too many consonants. Liquid verbs are those whose stems end in lambda (λ), mu (μ), nu (ν), or rho (ρ). Recall that in both the future and (first) aorist tense-forms a sigma (σ) is added to the stem. When a liquid consonant (λ, μ, ν, or ρ) comes into contact with the added sigma, something is forced to drop or change, usually because of difficulty in pronunciation. This chapter focuses on the changes that occur when the tense formative (σ) of the future and aorist tenses is added to liquid verbs.

Paul writes to the Philippians from prison (Phil 1:13). Imminent death is a real possibility for him. With this in mind, the apostle affirms that to die and be with Christ “is far better” (1:23). He says, “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (1:21). At the same time, Paul observes that the fledgling churches need his ongoing care and instruction. So, he concludes,

Convinced of this [i.e., that you and other believers need my presence and instruction], I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith. (Phil 1:25 NASB)

The Greek word translated “I will remain” here is μενῶ. Why is μενῶ translated with an English future tense? Isn’t μενῶ just the present active indicative first person singular, “I remain”? No, it is not. That would be written this way: μένω. The future is μενῶ. Look very carefully. Do you notice the slight difference between the two? The present tense has an acute accent over ε, while the future has a circumflex over ω. The reason that μένω is not conforming to the future paradigm you know is that its stem ends in a liquid consonant (ν). μένω is a liquid verb. Let’s learn more about these tricky liquid verbs.

The future active and future middle forms of liquid verbs differ from the typical future forms because of adjustments that must be made when the sigma tense formative (σ) comes in contact with a liquid consonant—lambda (λ), mu (μ), nu (ν), or rho (ρ). Because the stem of a liquid verb ends with a liquid consonant—a consonant that does not react well to the added sigma—the sigma is rejected in the future active and future middle forms. The process, however, is slightly more complicated than a mere rejection of the sigma. Actually, from a more precise morphological explanation, what happens is that the tense formative is changed from a sigma (σ) to an “epsilon + sigma” (εσ). When the connecting vowel of the personal ending is placed beside the sigma, however, it is then found between two vowels due to the addition of the epsilon (intervocalic sigma), which then drops out of the word. The two vowels that were separated by a sigma are then found together and after the sigma is gone, they contract (in a manner similar to contract verbs).

μεν + εσ + ομεν → μενεσομεν → μενεομεν → μενοῦμεν

For simplicity’s sake, when dealing with liquid futures, you can think of the sigma as being replaced by an epsilon, followed by a contraction with the connecting vowel (or first vowel of the personal ending unit). Below is the paradigm for the future active indicative. This paradigm does not need to be memorized.

As you will note, future liquid verbs conjugate the same as present tense epsilon contract verbs (see 7.3). The difference, however, is that liquid verbs following these endings are future; contract verbs following these paradigm endings are present. Also, in four of six possible forms, the only difference between the present and the future conjugation of liquid verbs is the circumflex accent marking where the contraction has occurred. The first and second person plural forms have minor spelling differences where vowel contractions have occurred.

In addition to the changes described above, some liquid futures also employ verbal stems that are slightly different from their present tense stems. Sometimes an iota (ι) will drop from the stem (αἴρω → ἀρῶ; ἐγείρω → ἐγερῶ). With other verbs, a lambda will drop from the stem (ἀπαγγέλλω → ἀπαγγελῶ; ἀποστέλλω → ἀποστελῶ; βάλλω → βαλῶ). Because you will be reading Greek texts, not composing them, these slight spelling changes should be welcomed! They are little friends reminding you that you are no longer looking at a present tense verb.

The aorist forms for liquid verbs do not follow the same pattern as the future forms. Instead of replacing the sigma with an epsilon, the sigma is dropped and the main vowel in the verb stem lengthens to compensate for its loss (compensatory lengthening: μένω → ἔμεινα). In other words, ε→ει, α→η, ο→ω, and short ι→long ι (looking the same but being pronounced differently). At the same time, if a verb has a double lambda (λλ) in the present tense, it changes to a single lambda (λ) in the aorist: ἀπαγγέλλω → ἀπήγγειλα; ἀποστέλλω → ἀπέστειλα. Finally, sometimes an iota is dropped from the stem: αἴρω → ἦρα. Such changes help distinguish the aorist from the imperfect (e.g., ἔμεινεν, “he remained”; ἔμενεν, “he was remaining”). Here are the aorist forms of the liquid verb μένω:

For the aorist form of a liquid verb, you will have (1) an augment and (2) an ending with alpha, but you will not have the sigma tense formative because the sigma will have dropped out because it appeared next to the liquid consonant at the end of the verb stem. The main vowel in the verb stem will likely have lengthened to compensate for the loss of the sigma (i.e., ε→ει, α→η, ο→ω).

A. Stem Recognition: Indicate whether the form is Present (P), Future (F), or Aorist (A).

B. Parsing: Parse the following verbs.

1. ἀροῦσιν

2. ἀπήγγειλαν

3. ἀποκριθήσονται

4. ἀπεκτείνατε

5. ἀποστελῶ

6. ἠγέρθη

7. ἔκρινας

8. μενεῖ

9. ἐσπείραμεν

10. κρινοῦμεν

C. Translation: Translate the following sentences.

1. ἀπαγγελῶ τὸ ὄνομά (name) σου τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου (Heb 2:12).

2. ὁ δοῦλος ἀπήγγειλεν τῷ κυρίῳ αὐτοῦ ταῦτα (these things) (Luke 14:21).

3. λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἀρθήσεται ἀφ᾽ ὑμῶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ (Matt 21:43).

4. οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἦραν τὸ πτῶμα (corpse) (Matt 14:12).

5. ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, Ἀμὴν (truly) ἀμὴν λέγω σοι (John 3:3).

6. καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ (third) ἡμέρᾳ ἐγερθήσεται (Matt 17:23).

7. Κύριε, τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν (Rom 11:3).

8. ἀποστελεῖ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ (Matt 13:41).

9. καθὼς ἐμὲ ἀπέστειλας εἰς τὸν κόσμον, κἀγὼ ἀπέστειλα αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸν κόσμον (John 17:18).

10. ὁ θεὸς τῶν πατέρων (fathers) ἡμῶν ἤγειρεν Ἰησοῦν (Acts 5:30).

11. κρινεῖ κύριος τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ (Heb 10:30).

12. καὶ ἐκρίθησαν ἕκαστος (each) κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν (Rev 20:13).

13. καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐν τῷ υἱῷ καὶ ἐν τῷ πατρὶ μενεῖτε (1 John 2:24).

14. μετὰ τοῦτο (this, accusative) κατέβη εἰς Καφαρναοὺμ αὐτὸς καὶ ἡ μήτηρ (mother) αὐτοῦ καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ [αὐτοῦ] καὶ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐκεῖ ἔμειναν οὐ πολλὰς (many) ἡμέρας (John 2:12).

15. ἄνθρωπος ἔσπειρεν ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ (field) αὐτου (Matt 13:31).

D. Translation: Translate the following sentences into Greek.

1. The stone was taken away.

2. They will announce the wisdom of the Scriptures.

3. Therefore, I will remain in the temple.

4. The man judged the time of salvation.

5. The Lord will send out the good news to the teacher.