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Verbs in Past Continuous

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In Greek, the stress in the Past Continuous and the simple past always falls on the third syllable from the end. When the verb begins with a consonant (i.e. β, γ, δ, ζ, θ, κ, λ, μ, ν, ξ, π, ρ, σ, τ, φ, χ, ψ) and consists of only two syllables, then an extra letter is added at the beginning. This letter (usually the letter "ε") carries the stress in order to satisfy the condition. This letter is called "augmentation". If the verb begins with a consonant, but consists of more than two syllables, then augmentation is ommited.


Notice that if the verb consists of more than 2 syllables, then augmentation is not required, as the stress falls on the existing syllable from the end.

 
 

3

2

1

δια

βά

ζω

διά

βα

ζα

 

Simple Present

Past Continuous

 
 

3

2

1

πλη

ρώ

νω

πλή

ρω

να

 

Simple Present

Past Continuous