Adjectives: Adjectives: Positive, Comparative, Positive, Comparative, Superlative Superlative In Latin, as in English, adjectives are said to In Latin, as in English, adjectives are said to have three have three Degrees: Degrees: (1) Positive – Adjective (1) Positive – Adjective (2) Comparative – More [Adjective], [Adjective]er (2) Comparative – More [Adjective], [Adjective]er (3) Superlative – Most [Adjective], (3) Superlative – Most [Adjective], [Adjective]est [Adjective]est The The Degree Degree of an adjective tell us the Degree to of an adjective tell us the Degree to which a noun possesses a particular attribute: which a noun possesses a particular attribute: whether with no reference to another noun whether with no reference to another noun (Positive); more than another noun (Positive); more than another noun (Comparative); or the most out of a group of (Comparative); or the most out of a group of nouns (Superlative). nouns (Superlative).
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Adjectives: Positive, Comparative, Superlative In Latin, as in English, adjectives are said to have three Degrees: (1) Positive – Adjective (2) Comparative.
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Adjectives:Adjectives:Positive, Comparative, Positive, Comparative, SuperlativeSuperlativeIn Latin, as in English, adjectives are said to have In Latin, as in English, adjectives are said to have
three three Degrees: Degrees:
(1) Positive – Adjective (1) Positive – Adjective
(2) Comparative – More [Adjective], (2) Comparative – More [Adjective], [Adjective]er[Adjective]er
(3) Superlative – Most [Adjective], (3) Superlative – Most [Adjective], [Adjective]est[Adjective]est
The The DegreeDegree of an adjective tell us the Degree to of an adjective tell us the Degree to which a noun possesses a particular attribute: which a noun possesses a particular attribute: whether with no reference to another noun whether with no reference to another noun (Positive); more than another noun (Comparative); (Positive); more than another noun (Comparative); or the most out of a group of nouns (Superlative).or the most out of a group of nouns (Superlative).
Adjectives:Adjectives:Positive, Comparative, Positive, Comparative, SuperlativeSuperlativeIn Latin, as in English, the Comparative and In Latin, as in English, the Comparative and
Superlative forms of an adjective are Superlative forms of an adjective are formed by adding a suffix onto the root:formed by adding a suffix onto the root:
The Comparative is ALWAYS an Adjective of The Comparative is ALWAYS an Adjective of the 3the 3rdrd Declension, but uses 3 Declension, but uses 3rdrd Declension Declension noun endings.noun endings.
The Comparative Adjective is translated according The Comparative Adjective is translated according to the following formula:to the following formula:
Comparative = More [Adjective], [Adjective]erComparative = More [Adjective], [Adjective]er
NB: The Latin suffix –ior and the English NB: The Latin suffix –ior and the English suffix –er are cognate with one another.suffix –er are cognate with one another.
I. Comparative AdjectivesI. Comparative AdjectivesComparative = Stem + ior, ior, iusComparative = Stem + ior, ior, ius
Laetus, a, um Laetus, a, um Stem = laet Stem = laet
I. Comparative AdjectivesI. Comparative Adjectives
NB:NB:
(1)(1) Most adjectives ending in –eus (and Most adjectives ending in –eus (and some ending in –ius) form their some ending in –ius) form their Comparative Degree by using the Comparative Degree by using the adverb adverb magismagis, ‘more,’ with the , ‘more,’ with the adjective.adjective.
Exemplum:Exemplum:
Idoneus, a, um – suitableIdoneus, a, um – suitable
magis idoneus – more suitablemagis idoneus – more suitable
I. Comparative Adjectives:I. Comparative Adjectives:Object of ComparisonObject of ComparisonNB:NB:
(2)(2) When the Comparative Adjective is When the Comparative Adjective is used, Latin can express the object of the used, Latin can express the object of the comparison in one of two ways:comparison in one of two ways:
(1) quam – the adverb ‘quam’ means (1) quam – the adverb ‘quam’ means ‘than.’ The object of comparison goes in ‘than.’ The object of comparison goes in the the same casesame case as the noun modified by as the noun modified by the Comparative.the Comparative.
(2) Ablative of Comparison – the object (2) Ablative of Comparison – the object of comparison goes in the Ablative case. of comparison goes in the Ablative case. ‘quam’ is not used.‘quam’ is not used.
I. Comparative Adjectives:I. Comparative Adjectives:Object of ComparisonObject of ComparisonExempla:Exempla:
Frater altior quam ego est.Frater altior quam ego est.
Frater altior me est.Frater altior me est.
Maiores hostes ferociores quam illos Maiores hostes ferociores quam illos pugnaverunt.pugnaverunt.
Maiores hostes ferociores illis Maiores hostes ferociores illis pugnaverunt.pugnaverunt.
I. Comparative Adjectives:I. Comparative Adjectives:Object of ComparisonObject of ComparisonExempla:Exempla:
Frater altior quam ego est.Frater altior quam ego est.
Frater altior me est.Frater altior me est.
My brother is taller than me.My brother is taller than me.
Maiores hostes ferociores quam illos Maiores hostes ferociores quam illos pugnaverunt.pugnaverunt.
Maiores hostes ferociores illis pugnaverunt.Maiores hostes ferociores illis pugnaverunt.
Our ancestors fought enemy fiercer than Our ancestors fought enemy fiercer than these.these.
II. Superlative AdjectivesII. Superlative AdjectivesThe The Superlative DegreeSuperlative Degree of an adjective in Latin is of an adjective in Latin is
formed according to the following formula:formed according to the following formula:
Superlative = Stem + issimus, a, umSuperlative = Stem + issimus, a, um
The Superlative is ALWAYS an adjective of the The Superlative is ALWAYS an adjective of the 11stst and 2 and 2ndnd Delcension. Delcension.
The Superlative Adjective is translated according The Superlative Adjective is translated according to the following formula:to the following formula:
Superlative = Most [Adjective], [Adjective]estSuperlative = Most [Adjective], [Adjective]est
NB: The Latin suffix –issimus and the English NB: The Latin suffix –issimus and the English suffix –est are cognate with one another.suffix –est are cognate with one another.
II. Superlative AdjectivesII. Superlative AdjectivesSuperlative = Stem + issimus, a, umSuperlative = Stem + issimus, a, um
laetus, a, um laetus, a, um Stem = laet Stem = laet
II. Superlative Adjectives –II. Superlative Adjectives –lis Stemslis StemsNB: Six adjectives ending in –lis form their NB: Six adjectives ending in –lis form their
Superlative by adding –limus to the stem:Superlative by adding –limus to the stem:PositivePositive ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative
Facilis, is, eFacilis, is, e Facilior, ior, iusFacilior, ior, ius Facillimus, a, umFacillimus, a, um
Difficilis, is, eDifficilis, is, e Difficilior, ior, iusDifficilior, ior, ius Difficillimus, Difficillimus, a, uma, um
Similis, is, eSimilis, is, e Similior, ior, iusSimilior, ior, ius Simillimus, a, umSimillimus, a, um
Dissimilis, is, eDissimilis, is, e Dissimilior, ior, iusDissimilior, ior, ius Dissimillimus, a, Dissimillimus, a, umum
Gracilis, is, eGracilis, is, e Gracilior, ior, iusGracilior, ior, ius Gracillimus, Gracillimus, a, uma, um
Humilis, is, eHumilis, is, e Humilior, ior, iusHumilior, ior, ius Humillimus, Humillimus, a, uma, um
Other –lis adjectives form their Superlative regularly.Other –lis adjectives form their Superlative regularly.
II. Superlative AdjectivesII. Superlative Adjectives
NB:NB:
(1)(1) Adjectives that form their Adjectives that form their Comparative using the adverb Comparative using the adverb ‘magis’ form their Superlative using ‘magis’ form their Superlative using the adverb ‘maxime,’ ‘most.’the adverb ‘maxime,’ ‘most.’
Exemplum:Exemplum:
Idoneus, a, um – suitableIdoneus, a, um – suitable
maxime idoneus – most suitablemaxime idoneus – most suitable
II. Superlative AdjectivesII. Superlative Adjectives
NB: NB: (2) The adverb ‘quam’ + the (2) The adverb ‘quam’ + the
Superlative is translated as ‘as Superlative is translated as ‘as [adjective] as possible.’[adjective] as possible.’
Exempla:Exempla:quam fortissimusquam fortissimus
as brave as possibleas brave as possiblequam celerrimusquam celerrimus
as quick as possibleas quick as possible
III. Irregular Comparatives III. Irregular Comparatives and Superlativesand SuperlativesSeveral adjectives form their Several adjectives form their
Comparative and Superlative Degrees Comparative and Superlative Degrees irregularly. Although the stems of these irregularly. Although the stems of these Comparative and Superlatives are Comparative and Superlatives are irregular, nonetheless they decline irregular, nonetheless they decline according to the regular pattern of according to the regular pattern of Comparatives and Superlatives.Comparatives and Superlatives.
The following The following sixsix adjectives are the most adjectives are the most common adjectives which have common adjectives which have irregular Comparative and Superlative irregular Comparative and Superlative forms:forms:
III. Irregular Comparatives III. Irregular Comparatives and Superlativesand SuperlativesPositivePositive ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlativeBonus, a, umBonus, a, um Melior, ior, iusMelior, ior, ius Optimus, a, umOptimus, a, um
GoodGood BetterBetter BestBestMalus, a, umMalus, a, um Peior, ior, iusPeior, ior, ius Pessimus, a, umPessimus, a, um
BadBad WorseWorse WorstWorstMagnus, a, umMagnus, a, um Maior, ior, iusMaior, ior, ius Maximus, a, Maximus, a,
umumGreat, LargeGreat, Large Greater, LargerGreater, LargerGreatest, LargestGreatest, Largest
Parvus, a, umParvus, a, um Minor, Minor, MinusMinor, Minor, Minus Minimus, a, umMinimus, a, umSmallSmall SmallerSmaller SmallestSmallest
Multus, a, umMultus, a, um Plus, Pluris (neuter)Plus, Pluris (neuter) Plurimus, a, umPlurimus, a, umMuchMuch MoreMore MostMost
Multi, ae, aMulti, ae, a Plures, es, aPlures, es, a Plurimi, ae, aPlurimi, ae, aManyMany MoreMore MostMost
III. Irregular Comparatives III. Irregular Comparatives and Superlativesand SuperlativesThe following adjectives also form their Comparative The following adjectives also form their Comparative
and Superlative Degrees irregularly, but are not and Superlative Degrees irregularly, but are not very common:very common: