Neuter gender has distinctive features that set it apart from masculine and feminine.
Key neuter rules:
• Nominative = Accusative (always identical)
• Plural nominative/accusative ends in -α
• Neuter plural subject takes SINGULAR verb
Indicators of neuter:
• Article: τό (singular), τά (plural)
• Second declension -ον nouns: τὸ δῶρον (gift)
• Third declension -μα nouns: τὸ ὄνομα (name)
• Diminutives: τὸ παιδίον (little child)
Neuter is common for:
• Things and concepts
• Diminutives
• Infinitives used as nouns: τὸ γράφειν (writing)
Examples from Texts
Here are some words showing the neuter gender in actual Greek texts:
θηριωδέστατα
θηριώδης
full of wild beasts, infested by them
noun
nominative
neuter
plural
ἐπιχειρητέα
ἐπιχειρητέος
one must attempt
noun
nominative
neuter
plural
κατάκλιτον
κατάκλιτον
couch, chaise-longue
noun
nominative
neuter
singular
κορασιώδη
κορασιώδης
girlish
noun
nominative
neuter
plural
λαίφεος
λαῖφος
shabby, tattered garment
noun
genitive
neuter
singular
ἀθεράπευτα
ἀθεράπευτος
uncared for
noun
nominative
neuter
plural
κακόκνημον
κακόκνημος
weak-legged, thin-legged
noun
nominative
neuter
singular
πιστώματι
πίστωμα
assurance, warrant, pledge
noun
dative
neuter
singular