Herbert Weir Smyth, A Greek Grammar for Colleges

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[*] 1985. Such quasi-impersonal verbs and expressions are δεῖ it is necessary, χρή (properly a substantive with ἐστί omitted, 793) it is necessary, δοκεῖ it seems good, ἔστι it is possible, ἔξεστι it is in one's power, οἷόν τέ ἐστι it is possible, πρέπει and προσήκει it is fitting, συμβαίνει it happens; and many expressions formed by ἐστί and a predicate noun, as ἄξιον it is right, δίκαιον it is just, ἀναγ- καῖον it is necessary, δυνατόν it is possible, ἀδύνατον (or ἀδύνατα) it is impossible, αἰσχρόν it is disgraceful, καλόν it is honourable, ὥρα_ and καιρός it is time. With the last two expressions the old dative use of the infinitive is clear: ““ὥρα_ βουλεύεσθαι” it is time for considering” P. Soph. 241b.

a. On the personal ἄξιός εἰμι, δίκαιός εἰμι, δοκῶ, see 1982. For δεῖ με τοῦτο λέγειν we find the personal δέομαι τοῦτο λέγειν. Note the attraction in ““τὸ πλῆθος τῶν ἐνόντων εἰπεῖν” the number of the things it is possible to mention” I. 5.110 (for τούτων ἃ ἔνεστιν).

b. δεῖ and χρή regularly take the accusative and infinitive (cp. 1562); ἀνάγκη it is necessary takes the accusative or dative with the infinitive.

c. The subject of the infinitive is expressed or omitted according to the sense.

d. Homer shows only the beginnings of the use of the infinitive as a real subject, i.e. not a grammatical subject, as in 1984.