5. Adjectives

Question 1

How does an adjective relate to a noun?

Answer 1

An adjective must agree with a noun in gender, case and number.

Question 2

Define the attributive use of an adjective

Answer 2

When the adjective defines more precisely an attribute of one of the nouns or pronouns in a sentence.

They see the beautiful land

Question 3

What happens when an attributive adjective comes after a noun with a definite article?

Answer 3

The definite article is repeated.

βλεπουσιν την γην την καλην

Question 4

What is the word order for an attributive adjective?

Answer 4

• 1. article – adjective – noun*
• 2. article – noun – article – adjective*
     
     1. βλεπουσιν την καλην γην
     2. βλεπουσιν την γην την καλην

Question 5

How do you distinguish between the two different kinds of ει?

Answer 5

1. with circumflex is ‘you are’
2. with no accent is ‘if’

Question 6

Define the predicative use of an adjective

Answer 6

A predicative adjective qualifies a noun as its complement.

A predicative adjective is essential and completes the sentence.

Question 7

How do you tell the difference between an attributive and predicative adjective?

Answer 7

Try deleting the adjective from the sentence. If it still makes sense, the adjective is attributive, if not, its predicative.

Question 8

What is the word order for an predicative adjective?

Answer 8

• 1. article – noun – adjective*
• 2. adjective – article – noun*
     
     1. ό νομος άγιος
     2. άγιος ό νομος

Question 9

What is unusual about the verb ‘to be’ in relation to predicative adjectives?

Answer 9

The verb ‘to be’ is often dropped out of sentences. It needs to be resupplied by the translator.

Question 10

How do you spot when the verb ‘to be’ has dropped out?

Answer 10

1. If the sentence does not have a verb in it
2. If the adjective is in the predicative position

Question 11

Define the noun use of an adjective

Answer 11

When an adjective is used as a noun.

Question 12

How do you spot an adjective being used as a noun?

Answer 12

The adjective is put with the article.

Question 13

What is the substantive use of an adjective?

Answer 13

When the masculine form is used to refer to people in general, not just men.

Question 14

What does the case of a noun adjective reveal?

Answer 14

It’s function in the sentence (subject, object etc.)

Question 15

What does the gender of a noun adjective reveal?

Answer 15

Whether it is a person or a man (masc.) a woman (fem.) or a thing (neuter.)

Question 16

Translate

Answer 16

the good person/man

Question 17

Translate

Answer 17

the beautiful woman

Question 18

Translate

Answer 18

the holy things

Question 19

Translate

Answer 19

the dead (ones)

Question 20

In long sentences, which word carries a large amount of stress?

Answer 20

The final word.

Question 21

What is a ‘sandwich’ construction for a sentence?

Answer 21

When the adjective, genitive or preposition is put between the article and the noun.

βλεπω το του κυριου ιερον

βλεπω το εν τη γη ιερον

Question 22

Define preparatory use of εστι(ν) / εισι(ν)

Answer 22

If they are put first in a sentence they mean ‘there is’ or ‘there are’

εστιν τυφλος… There is a blind man…

Question 23

Define nouns as complements

Answer 23

When a noun is used to describe another noun.

The son is _the Lord_

Question 24

What case does a noun as complement take?

Answer 24

A noun as complement takes the same case as the noun it is describing.

Question 25

How do you distinguish between a subject and a noun as complement?

Answer 25

Either:

1. The subject comes before the complement
2. The article is dropped from the complement
   * 1. ο υιος εστιν ο κυριος*
   * 2. κυριος εστιν ο υιος*