Πρέπει να αλλάξουμε την τροφή της γάτας, γιατί δεν τρώει καλά.

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Breakdown of Πρέπει να αλλάξουμε την τροφή της γάτας, γιατί δεν τρώει καλά.

• τρώω: to eat
• δεν: not
• να: to

Questions & Answers about Πρέπει να αλλάξουμε την τροφή της γάτας, γιατί δεν τρώει καλά.

Why is πρέπει followed by να + a verb form?

In Modern Greek, πρέπει (must / need to) is commonly followed by να + the subjunctive (often called “the na-form”):

• Πρέπει να αλλάξουμε… = We need to change…
  So να is the marker that introduces that verb form, similar in meaning to English to in need to, but grammatically it works differently.

What form is αλλάξουμε and why isn’t it αλλάζουμε?

Αλλάξουμε is aorist subjunctive, 1st person plural, from αλλάζω / αλλάξω (to change).
After πρέπει να, Greek often chooses between:

• present subjunctive: να αλλάζουμε = to be changing / to change repeatedly / as a general habit
• aorist subjunctive: να αλλάξουμε = to change (once), to make a specific change Here, changing the cat’s food is a single decision, so να αλλάξουμε fits well.

Why does την τροφή use την? How do I know it’s accusative?