So Pharr, so good...

[Brendan]

OK, I apologise for the horrible pun. But I'm so excited! I did Pharr Lesson XIII today and read my first lines of actual Homer! I just wanted to say thanks to the textkit team for making such a great resource available, and Paul for his greekgeek website and the helpful answer keys, and also whoever put together the "pfarrnotes" pdf that I downloaded with all the stuff on accent rules (I didn't get the name before I deleted it).

Also, two questions that I haven't found answers for yet:

1. For almost every verb, starting around lesson X, Pharr gives the first three parts of the verb, except occasionally when he doesn't. For instance, ὀλέκω doesn't get any other parts listed, even in the vocabulary section at the back. I guess this means it's completely regular, but then why does a verb like λύω (which I think is regular) get the full treatment?

2. I understand that brackets around a form indicate it's rare, and parentheses mean it's a contracted form, but what does a question mark mean? (For example, the paradigm for πόλις in section 704, in plural accusative form.) That it didn't exist? Bottom line, is it a form I need to know?

Anyway, thanks again!

[annis]

1. For almost every verb, starting around lesson X, Pharr gives the first three parts of the verb, except occasionally when he doesn't. For instance, ὀλέκω doesn't get any other parts listed, even in the vocabulary section at the back. I guess this means it's completely regular,

Beware! For this verb, it doesn't mean that at all. Pharr is good for learning, but for this sort of information you need to check the LSJ (via Perseus) or Cunliffe's Homeric dictionary. In this particular case ὀλέκω only exists in the present and imperfect. For other forms the verb ὄλλυμι is used instead.

but then why does a verb like λύω (which I think is regular) get the full treatment?

That does get used in all aspects and tenses.

but what does a question mark mean? (For example, the paradigm for πόλις in section 704, in plural accusative form.) That it didn't exist?

It means that it might have existed, but when Pharr wrote the book the matter wasn't settled. I'm not sure if it is yet. On your first pass through, you probably don't need to spend time on these. If you continue on to read more Homer, you'll want to go back and take a closer look. Some editions of Homer may sometimes choose obscurer forms.

[annis]

And:

But I'm so excited! I did Pharr Lesson XIII today and read my first lines of actual Homer!

Congratulations!

[Paul]

Hi Brendan,

Your infectious enthusiasm more than makes up for the pun.

Congratulations!

Cordially,

Paul

[annis]

I was going to comment on this but forgot...

a verb like λύω (which I think is regular)

Take a look at the vowel lengths on the upsilon in the p.parts. It's not quite so regular as it appears.