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Questions & Answers about Τον βλέπω τώρα.
Is τον the definite article “the,” or is it a pronoun here?
Here τον is the weak (clitic) object pronoun meaning “him” (masculine accusative singular). It happens to look identical to the masculine accusative article τον, but since there’s no noun after it, it’s a pronoun: Τον βλέπω = “I see him.”
Where is the subject “I”? Why is it missing?
Greek is a “pro‑drop” language. The verb ending in βλέπω already shows 1st person singular, so εγώ is normally omitted. You can add Εγώ for emphasis: Εγώ τον βλέπω τώρα (“I’m the one who sees him now”).
Why does τον come before βλέπω? Can it go after the verb?
In statements and questions, weak object pronouns normally come before the finite verb: Τον βλέπω. They go after the verb with a positive imperative: Δες τον τώρα! (“See him now!”). With particles like δεν/θα/να, the pronoun still comes before the verb of its clause: Δεν τον βλέπω, Θα τον δω, Να τον δω;
Could I say Βλέπω αυτόν τώρα? When would I use αυτόν?
Use the strong/stressed form αυτόν for contrastive emphasis (“him as opposed to someone else”):
- Neutral: Τον βλέπω τώρα.
- Emphatic: Αυτόν βλέπω τώρα. / Βλέπω αυτόν τώρα. Without emphasis, Greek prefers the weak pronoun (τον) before the verb.
How would I say it for a woman, a thing, or plural?
- Her: Την βλέπω τώρα.
- It (neuter): Το βλέπω τώρα.
- Them (masc. plural): Τους βλέπω τώρα.
- Them (fem. plural): Τις/Τες βλέπω τώρα.
- Them (neut. plural): Τα βλέπω τώρα.
Can I use το here? Why not Το βλέπω τώρα?
Το is neuter (“it”). Το βλέπω τώρα means “I see it now,” not “him.” For a male person (or any masculine‑gender noun), use τον.
Where can I put τώρα? Is word order flexible?
Both are common:
- Τον βλέπω τώρα.
- Τώρα τον βλέπω. The first is neutral; the second emphasizes the time “now.” Τον τώρα βλέπω is ungrammatical.
Does the Greek present here mean “I see him now” or “I’m seeing him now”? Is there a progressive?
Greek present covers both simple and progressive meanings. Τον βλέπω τώρα naturally corresponds to English “I’m seeing him now.” Greek doesn’t have a separate progressive form.
What’s the difference between βλέπω and κοιτάζω?
- βλέπω = “see” (perceive with the eyes, come into sight): Τον βλέπω τώρα.
- κοιτάζω = “look (at), watch” (intentional action): Τον κοιτάζω τώρα (“I’m looking at him now”). They are not interchangeable in all contexts.
How do I negate it?
Place δεν before the clitic + verb:
- Δεν τον βλέπω τώρα. Word order can shift for emphasis: Τώρα δεν τον βλέπω.
How would I put it in the past or future?
- Immediate past (“I just saw him”): Μόλις τον είδα.
- Simple past: Τον είδα χθες.
- Future: Θα τον δω αργότερα. / Θα τον δω τώρα; (if you mean “right now?”)
Can I “double” the object, like Τον βλέπω τον Γιάννη?
Yes. Clitic doubling is common with definite, topicalized, or emphasized objects:
- Τον βλέπω τον Γιάννη. = “I see John (as for John, I see him).” It adds emphasis/topicality; it isn’t always required.
Any pronunciation tips for this sentence?
- β is pronounced like English “v,” not “b”: βλέπω = “VLE-po,” stress on the first syllable.
- τώρα = “TO-ra,” stress on the first syllable; ω (omega) is pronounced like ο; the accent mark just shows stress.
- τον is unstressed and runs into the verb: roughly “ton VLE-po TO-ra.”
Could I drop the object and just say Βλέπω τώρα?
Only if the meaning is “I can see now / I’m seeing (in general) now.” To say “I see him now,” you need the object pronoun τον; otherwise it’s ambiguous.
If I want to emphasize the subject “I,” how do I do it?
Add the subject pronoun and stress it: Εγώ τον βλέπω τώρα (implying “I, not someone else, see him now”).
Should the -ν in τον ever be dropped?
As a pronoun here, keep -ν. Τον = masculine; Το = neuter. Dropping the -ν would change the meaning to “it.” Some style rules about dropping -ν apply to the article before certain consonants, but for the object pronoun it’s safest to keep τον.