Weeks 13–14: Imperfect Tense Forms

Introduction

So far, you’ve learned the present tense (ongoing action now) and the future tense (action that will happen). Now we turn to the imperfect tense, which describes continuous or repeated action in the past.

In English, this is often translated with “was/were” + verb-ing or sometimes “used to.”

• Example: “He was teaching,” “They used to see.”

The imperfect tense is essential for reading the Gospels and Acts, where it frequently describes what Jesus or the disciples were doing over time.

Step 1: The Nature of the Imperfect

The imperfect tense combines:

• Past time (in the indicative mood, always past).

• Continuous aspect (ongoing, repeated, or habitual action).

Examples:

• ἔλυον (eluon) → “I was loosening / I used to loosen.”

• ἐδίδασκεν (edidasken) → “He was teaching.”

Step 2: Formation of the Imperfect

The imperfect is built using four key elements:

1. Augment (ἐ-) → signals past tense.

2. Verb stem → carries the meaning.

3. Connecting vowel.

4. Secondary personal endings.

Secondary Endings (Active)

Step 3: Paradigm of λύω (luō, “loosen”)

Imperfect Active Indicative

👉 Notice: both 1st singular and 3rd plural share the same form (ἔλυον). Context determines which is correct.

Step 4: Imperfect in the New Testament

1. Luke 4:15

• ἐδίδασκεν (edidasken) → “He was teaching.”

2. John 3:23

• ἐβάπτιζον (ebaptizon) → “They were baptizing.”

3. Mark 4:37

• τὸ πλοῖον ἤδη ἐγεμίζετο (to ploion ēdē egemizeto) → “the boat was already filling.”

👉 The imperfect paints a picture of ongoing action in the past.

Step 5: Imperfect vs. Aorist

Later, you will learn the aorist tense, which often describes simple, one-time past action (“he taught”).

• Imperfect = ongoing: “He was teaching.”

• Aorist = summary: “He taught.”

Practice Assignments

1. Paradigm Writing
Conjugate λύω in the imperfect active indicative. Translate each form into English.

2. Spot the Augment
Identify the augment (ἐ-) in these words:

• ἔλυον

• ἐδίδασκες

• ἐβλέπετε

3. Translation Drill
Translate the following into English:

1. ἐγράφον τὴν γραφήν.

2. ἐβλέπομεν τὸν κύριον.

3. ἐπίστευον τῷ Ἰησοῦ.

4. Compare Imperfect and Present
Translate and explain the difference in meaning:

1. γράφω τὴν γραφήν.

2. ἔγραφον τὴν γραφήν.

5. Writing Practice
Write 3 original Greek sentences using the imperfect tense. Provide your own English translations.

Encouragement

The imperfect tense may seem like just “another chart,” but it’s much more than that. It allows you to capture the flow of past events—not just that something happened, but that it was happening over time.

This is especially powerful when reading the Gospels. Instead of flat statements, you’ll see vivid descriptions of Jesus teaching, crowds gathering, and disciples following—all in motion.

Keep practicing! The imperfect will quickly become second nature once you start spotting its augment and endings in your reading.