Simple steps to the Perfect ('has/have) and Pluperfect ('had'), beginning with middle/passive:

1) Start with the endings: (present) Perfect middle/passive uses present endings---μαι, -σαι, ται, κτλ.

Pluperfect or past perfect uses past endings--the same ones you've learned ---μην,, -σο, -το, κτλ.

That is why we start with the middle/passive.

 

2) One of the two distinctive signs of the perfect system is that it is athematic:  no linking o/e between verb stem and endings such as we learned with present, λύ-ο-μαι, λύ-ε-ται,

 

3) The other, often obvious but sometimes elusive sign is reduplication:

the doubling or 'stuttering' of the initial consonant: λε-λυ-ται (3rd sing.), δε-δεχ-θαι (infinitive)

 

So the (present) Perfect is typically: (a) reduplication; (b) athematic stem; (c) present endings -->          λε-λυ-ται

The Past Perfect is: (a) augment; (b) reduplication; (c) athematic stem; (d) past endings.--> -λέ-λυ-το

 

4) Both markers are tricky. Start again at the end, where stem joins to endings.

Because it is athematic consonant stems undergo assimilation or combination as follows:

β, or π, or φ, + μ >> μμ, as in γράφω -->> γε-γραμ-μαι

............. + σ >> ψ, as in γέ-γρα- ψαι

............. + τ >> πτ, as in γέ-γραπ-ται (=it has been written)

.............. + θ >> φθ, as in γε-γράφ-θαι (infinitive, to have been written)

 

δ or τ or θ + μ >> σμ, as in πείθω -->> πέ-πεισ-μαι

............. + σ >> σ, as in πέ-πειαι

............. + τ >> στ, as in πέ-πεισ-ται

............. + θ >> σθ, as in πε-πεῖσ-θαι (infin. = to have been persuaded/obey)

 

γ or κ or χ + μ >> γμ, as in δέχομαι >> δέ-δεγ-μαι

...............+ σ >> ξ, as in δέ-δεξ-αι

.............. + τ >> κτ, as in δέ-δεκ-ται

.............. + θ >> χθ, as in δε-δέχ-θαι (infinitive = to have received)

 

Complicated as this seems, there is a simple logic to it. Consider how these consonants are related by position of articulation (where the breath is stopped) and differentiated by manner of articulation (how the sound is uttered). Get in touch with how your mouth makes words.

position / manner

voiced

voiceless

aspirate

...+ s

nasal/non-stop

labial (@ lips)

...β

...π

...φ

...ψ

...μ

dental (@ teeth)

...δ

...τ

...θ

....σ

...ν / σ

velar (back of tongue)

...γ

...κ

...χ

...ξ

...γ

So in each of the above combinations, the stem consonant is just combining or assimilating to the ending: .....before nasal -μ- each shifts to the corresponding non-stop; before voiceles-τ- each shifts to the corresponding voiceless consonant in that position.

5) Vowel-stem verbs do the predictable thing: lengthen the vowel: τιμάω -- τε-τίμη-μαι.          (Remember, no thematic o/e to contract).

 

6) Now for reduplication--not as simple as it seems:

(a) aspirates reduplicate without aspiration, φιλέω >> πε-φίλημαι 'I have (been) loved.....(another instance of 'dissimilation of aspirates')

(b) verbs beginning with double consonants of which one is a non-stop (s or n, etc.) often reduplicate with -ε- ...which of course looks like augment: ψεύδομαι >> ψευσ-μαι 'I have lied'

γι-γνωσκω >> ἔγνωσ-ται, 'it has been judged/decided'

and (c) verbs beginning with vowels lengthen the vowel (like augment): ἀγέλλω -- ἤγγελ-μαι

 

7) For verbs that do not reduplicate a consonant (6b-c) the augment makes no difference, so the Pluperfect is distinguished only the past endings:

ἤγγελ-το, 'it had been announced' .... ψευσ-το 'he had lied'

 

8) One more thing: notice the creeping periphrastics: participle-plus-helping verb to form subjunctive and optative, as well as (in Attic) indicative 3rd plural for consonant stems:

πε-πεισμένοι εἰσι ... ἦσαν ... ὦσι ... εἶεν

'they have been...had been...may have been...might have been... persuaded