Herbert Weir Smyth, A Greek Grammar for Colleges

---

---

---

[*] 2238. With the Infinitive.—Verbs of fearing often take an object infinitive (present, future or aorist) with or without the article; and with or without μή (2741). Thus, ““φοβήσεται ἀδικεῖν” he will be afraid to injure” X. C. 8.7.15, ““οὐ φοβούμεθα ἐλασσώσεσθαι” we are not afraid that we shall be beaten” T. 5.105 (the future infinitive is less common than μή with the subjunctive), φυλαττόμενος τὸ λυ_πῆσαί τινα ( = μὴ λυ_πήσω) taking care to offend no one D. 18.258, ἐφυλάξατο μὴ ἄπιστος γενέσθαι he took precautions not to become an object of distrust X. Ag. 8. 5.

a. With the articular infinitive, φοβοῦμαι, etc. means simply I fear; with the infinitive without the article, φοβοῦμαι commonly has the force of hesitate, feel repugnance, etc. Cp. φοβοῦμαι ἀδικεῖν and φοβοῦμαι μὴ ἀδικεῖν; I fear to do wrong (and do not do it); φοβοῦμαι τὸ ἀδικεῖν I fear wrong-doing (in general, by myself or by another), like φοβοῦμαι τὴν ἀδικία_ν.