lesson 7 index       printable pages

   7.5: Predicate accusatives

This lesson focuses on the linking verb εἰμί = to be, which connects or applies, so to speak, a predicate nominative to a subject in the nominative.  On this page I want to call the student’s attention to a similar structure that is often critical for the understanding of a text.  It is the use of two accusatives, instead of two nominatives: one is a direct object, the other a “predicate accusative.”  Rather than a linking verb, these two accusatives are found with transitive verbs that mean call, consider, deem, name, make, appoint, choose, and the like.

To explain this construction we start with an example of the structure:  S – linking verb – Predicate nominative. 

ὁ πόνος ἐστὶ χαλεπός.   The task is harsh.

    S             V      PN  

Let us change the statement of fact to one where we deem the task harsh, using the verb νομίζω.  Task will have to be a DO in the accusative.

νομίζομεν τὸν πόνον

    S + V              DO

Whatever we consider the task, in this case “harsh,” will be also in the accusative.  Just as “harsh” was in the sentence above a predicate nominative, now we will call it “predicate accusative.”

νομίζομεν τὸν πόνον   χαλεπόν

    S + V              DO          predicate accusative

Note the following, in English and in Greek:

a) English verbs such as call, consider, deem, name, make, appoint, choose, and similar tend to be used with a direct object and a predicate accusative.  The latter is not part of the Direct Object before the action of the verb occurs, but it is (to put it graphically) “thrown” upon the D O through the action of calling, considering, etc.

b) In Greek comparable verbs also take this construction.  Note that the adjective or noun that we mark as predicate accusative is, of course, in the predicative position with respect to the DO.  (Without an article the position is sometimes difficult to perceive, but the meaning shows it anyway.)

c) Both in English and in Greek the verbs thus accompanied may be turned to the passive.  “He was chosen //as// class valedictorian.”  In Greek then, obviously, the DO becomes a S, and the predicate accusative becomes a predicate nominative.

Read carefully these examples in Greek and try to understand them; then check the translations given.   Finally, click on exercises and submit them.  No key is uploaded, I will send corrections to those who fax or email the exercises to me.

1) μήτε τοὺς κακοὺς     χρηστοὺς[1]   μήτε τοὺς χρηστοὺς κακοὺς νόμιζε.

                              D O                          pred accusative                         D O                       pred accus        V

Deem (you sg) neither bad men good nor good men bad!

2) σὺ  ̓́Ερωτα[2] οὐ   θεὸν      νομίζεις.

         S         D O                      pred acc               V

You  ( sg) do not consider Eros a god.

This could be expressed in English also as: 

You  ( sg) do not consider Eros //to be// a god.    or    You  ( sg) do not consider  that Eros //is// a god. 

3) ἀλλὰ διὰ τί  υἱὸν    με[2.5] ὠνόμαζε[3];

              διά+ acc    pred acc   DO            V

But why did he call me //his// son?

4) κρίνομεν[4] σὲ[4.5] πρῶτον[5] ἀνθρώπων
           V      DO          pred acc            gen

We deem you the first of men.