Publisher's Synopsis
From the PREFACE:
MANY experienced college teachers of Greek will agree in the opinion that the changes in preparatory school methods during the last decade or two have resulted in giving us freshmen whose knowledge of Greek syntax is vague and general rather than clear and precise. This may be traced to various causes. Grammar drill has been in part displaced by wider reading to meet the "sight-reading" tests in the college entrance examinations. The "natural method" has not been without its baleful influence. No doubt many minor causes have been at work; but, whatever the causes, the fact is beyond question. The average freshman of to-day has a vague and general knowledge of Greek syntax, instead of the clear and precise grasp of fundamental principles which he needs.
Now if the college course in Greek is to consist largely of the study of the masterpieces of Greek literature as literature, such clear and precise knowledge must, at some time, be acquired, or else real appreciation is out of the question. It is idle for even the bright student to read the great Apology and hope to appreciate it as literature, unless he knows something definite of the normal use of moods and tenses. Else he may admire with enthusiasm what he takes to be the force and beauty of the Greek language, or the precision and flexibility of the author's style, but quite as likely as not he is applauding in the wrong place.
A reaction, emphasizing once more the importance of grammar in the preparatory study of Greek, is, I believe, bound to come. The aim of this little book is to supply a means to further this result. In it I have briefly formulated the essentials of Greek syntax as simply and as clearly as I could. It is, of course, intended principally for use in preparatory schools, and will, it is hoped, economize the time of the student by directing attention to essentials, leaving details for later study. At the same time it is quite possible that such a summary may not come amiss to many freshmen for purposes of review. It need scarcely be said that it is not intended to take the place of the more extensive grammars already in use.
All statements of principle are illustrated by examples quoted in their actual form. Their arrangement has been designed to secure as much clearness as possible. For obvious reasons the quotations are drawn chiefly from the Anabasis. A few, however, come from Homer, and still fewer from the Cyropaedia and other writings of Xenophon, and from prose writers in general.