Nouns in Greek follow three declensions, or patterns. First declension nouns have stems ending in alpha (α) or eta (η). (This stem ending may also be called a connecting vowel.) Second declension nouns have stems ending in omicron (ο), which sometimes lengthens to an omega (ω). Third declension nouns have stems ending in consonants, which often collide with other consonants and change their form (e.g., σαρκ + ς = σάρξ). Noun Declension Endings (with connecting vowel) Case/