English - Modern Greek

Until the seventies of the last century the word «εις», which means in, was still used in the newspapers. Later this preposition was combined with the masculine definite article «ο», in the accusative (4th case) «τον» to «εις τον». In the daily usage «εις» was reduced to «σ» and «εις + τον» together to «σ + τον» = «στον». This happened with 2nd and 4th cases single and plural of the definite article.

The preposition «σε» denotes a movement. Unlike in English, Modern Greek doesn't make a distinction between a movement to and from or in and out a location.

This preposition is used to express the aim of the movement to a location and at the same time the presence in and at a location.

The Greeks are using «σε», where we use the prepositions in English: in, on, to, into and at.

1. To express the indirect object:

N.B.

• Since certain verbs such as to giv to, to donate to, to sent to and to make for express a motion from a direct object to a indirect object, the relation between the two objects and the movement is not difficult to determine.
• In the sentences 3, 5 and 7 a strong personal pronoun in the accusative is to be seen as an indirect object.
• Except in sentence 10, where «σε» + the genitive (2nd case) is used, the remainder sentences are in the accusative.

2. Ιn order to determine the distance:

N.B.

• Generally MG makes little or no difference between the presence at a location or the motion to a location, except in verbs.
• In the two final sentences the genitive is used. This happens in expressions such as: somebody's house, bar, shop etc. A clear example of it is «Μένω στου Πέτρου»- I stay at Peters' house'.

3. Τo denote time or period:

N.B.

• In most circumstances «σε» is used to indicate a point of time when the event or action takes place, or length of time during or afterwards. It may also describe a specific period, for instance: in a short time.
• The figures from the days of the months are preceded by «στις» and subsequently inflected in the feminine form. The first of the month however is denoted without «σε»: «την πρώτη Ιούνιου» - on the first of June.
• «σε χρόνο ρεκόρ» also means: in record time.

N.B.

• The above examples denote the meaning of the sentence, when «σε» is used together with a verb. The nature of the verb demonstrate which interpretation was given when it is used.

• Sent. 1: «βλέπω σε» - to see something, on, at, or in etc.
• Sent. 2: «είμαι σε» - to be somewhere, in, on, at or inside
• Sent. 3: «κάθομαι (πάνω) σε» - to sit on or in something.
• Sent. 4: «μένω σε» - to stay somewhere in or on
• Sent. 5: «λάμπω σε» - to shine on, in or during
• Sent. 6: «ζω σε» - to live on, at or in a location
• Sent. 7: «απλώνω σε» - to spread out, on, at or in
• Sent. 8: «δένω σε» - to tie at, on, in or to
• Sent. 9: «ξεσπάω σε» - to burst in, into or from
• Sent. 10: «εξελίσσομαι σε» - to evolve to

N.B.

• The adverbs «γύρω», «μπροστά», «δίπλα» and «κοντά», used together with the preposition «από» have an opposite meaning.
• The usage of «μέσα σε» to express a movement in and a presence at a location is slightly complicated, because for a movement from outside into a location followed by a movement to the outside on another location, «μέσα από» is used, because MG is considered this as a passing movement.
• When somebody looks through the window from a position inside to something which takes place outside or vice versa, MG also considers this as a passing movement from the person who is looking.

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• In expressions, where things are transformed, it usually is expressed with «σε», such as in sentence 1.
• The verbs in the sentences 2, 3 and 4: «υπακούω» - to obey, «ανθίσταμαι» - to resist, to withstand and «φταίω» - to blame are in MG, in contrast to in het English, intransitive verbs.
• The function of «σε» in a good running sentence is often inexplicable. The use of the preposition in abstract expressions is in such a way extensive that it is too much to be mentioned here.

N.B.

• In sentence 6 the accusative is used due to the usage of «σε». In the genitive the sentence is: «Η βελτίωση των διπλωματικών σχέσεων»
• Ditto in sentence 7: «Ο ιερός θεσμός του γάμου»
• Sentence 8 is one of the standard expressions in the informal spoken language and literally means I'm a corpse in exhaustion
• The sentences 9 are 10 are self-explanatory: to be disappointed in and a turnaround in.

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• Sent. 11: «βαθιά» is used as an adverb here.
• Sent 12: «συνεπής» means consequent and is an adjective in this sentence.
• Sent 13: «στην τελική ανάλυση» literally means after the final analysis. «τελική,» is the adjective inflected feminine because «ανάλυση» is a feminine noun.
• Sent 14: «ακριβώς» is an adverb after which «σε» is used.
• Sent 15: «φέρνω σε δύσκολη θέση» also means to be embarrassed. «δύσκολη» is the feminine inflected adjective.

N.B.

In the sentences 16 up to and including 20 numbers and quantities are used.

This system exists and is clear. Because of this system it is not possible to merge «se» + the definite article in the nominative (1st case). Hence the words «σο» (masc.), «ση» (fem.) and «στο» (neut.) don't exist. In the first two occasions that's not a problem. With «στο» however it is, because the 1st and the 4th cases of this gender are the same. When this word is used it is always in the 4th case. Keep herewith in mind that «στο» also may occur as a variant for «στον», when preceded a noun beginning with «ν-» or «μ-» whereby the final «-ν» has been left behind.