Forms of interrogative using OU and MH
Harry W. Jones
hjbluebird at aol.com
Tue Aug 7 08:58:59 EDT 2001
> Hello, B-Greeks,
>
> Simple question: And, pardon the made-up sentence, since I probably got it
> wrong, anyway: I am trying to understand the different forms of Greek
> questions, and my reading seems to indicate that OU in this structure would
> expect a positive response, and that MH in the same structure would expect a
> negative response (though, in either case, the actual response might be
> otherwise). So, I made up examples for me to ponder, and (before I develop
> too many bad habits) I wanted some reaction from those of you "in the know."
>
> Greek: OU SU EI~;
> English: You are, are you not? [Expects a positive.]
>
> Greek: MH SU EI~;
> English: You are not, are you? [Expects a negative.]
>
> Is this about correct? Off the mark? Just plain silly?
>
> Thanks,
> Richard Allan Stauch
> Long Beach, CA
Richard,
It looks like you are on the track. Of course,I guess you know that EIMI
takes a predicate nominative to complete its meaning?
Harry Jones
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