Chapter 4: Adjectives and Adjectival Predicates

Question 1

Adjective Syntax

Answer 1

Noun + adjective (which agrees in gender and number)
In an A pw, the pw will precede the adjectives
nb comes before secondary adjectives

Question 2

Participles

Answer 2

Adjective forms of verbs
When modifying a noun, it is a secondary noun
When standing alone, it can act as a noun in its own right

Question 3

bw + adjective

Answer 3

Expresses abstract qualities
ex: bw nfr, “goodness”

Question 4

Adjectival comparative

Answer 4

Adjective + r + noun/suffix
ex: wr r=k, “a greater one than you”

Question 5

Adjectival superlative

Answer 5

Two of the same adjectives in a genitive relationship

Question 6

Secondary Adjective Phrases

Answer 6

nfr Hr construction (adj. + (n) + noun)

These were phrases where secondary adjectives could describe a quality that the antecdent possessed relative to another noun

These were often idioms related to body parts

These phrases could work as adjective clauses or noun clauses

Question 7

What is a nisbe adjective?

Answer 7

It is an adjective formed from other parts of speech beyond verbs, mostly from nouns and prepositions

ex: rsw = south, rsi = southern

Question 8

Nisbe endings

Answer 8

These endings were often omitted in writing

Masculine endings:
-i, -i.w
-i.t, -i.wt (when agreeing with fem antecedents)

Feminine endings:
-.ti, -.tiw
-.tt, -.twt (when agreeing with fem. antecedents)

Question 9

Special Nisbe forms

Answer 9

Nisbes formed from the prepositions “m” and “r” have an intial i- in addition to the endings

Question 10

Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary (nisbe) adjectives

Answer 10

Primary adjective: nb
Secondary adjectives: Adjective verbs as participles functioning as adjectives
Tertiary (nisbe) adjectives: Adjectives made from other parts of speech

Question 11

Secondary Adjectives as Nouns

Answer 11

Since secondary adjectives are technically participles, they can be used as nouns

The main way to understand what an adjective is being used for is syntax; adjectives follow a noun antecdent, nouns do not

Question 12

Adjectival Predicates

Answer 12

Adjectival verb + noun/noun phrase/demonstrative pronoun/ dependent pronoun

ex: nfr z, “The man is good”

Question 13

First Person possession of adjectival qualities

Answer 13

Adjectival predicates generally do not use the first person.

First person possession of adjectival qualities was generally shown in a AB nominal sentence

ex: ink nfr, “I am good (lit. I am a good one (m.))

Question 14

Adjectival sentence of possession

Answer 14

n(i) + A (dependent pronoun subj.) + B (noun/dependent pronoun obj.)

“A belongs to B”

Question 15

Adjectival sentence of possession with an independent pronoun subject

Answer 15

When the subject is an independent pronoun, the meaning is flipped:

“B belongs to A,” A being an independent pronoun

Question 16

Emphatic Adjectival Predicate

Answer 16

Adjectival predicates could emphasize the the adjective by including the masc. dual ending .wy

ex: nfr.wy sw, “How good he is!”

Question 17

Negation of Adjectival Predicates

Answer 17

Adjectival predicated are not normally negated, but occasionally you will see the nominal negation ni…is bracket an adjective

Question 18

Particles for Adjectival Predicates

Answer 18

Most adjectival predicates are not introduced by a particle, but rarely you can see m=k or iw

Question 19

Comparative Adjectival Predicates

Answer 19

adjectival predicate + r + noun/pronoun/noun phrase

ex: nfr st r x.t nb.t, “It is better than anything”

Question 20

Adjectival predicates and the adverb wr.t

Answer 20

wr.t could be added following an adjective to give it the sense of “very”

ex: StA.t wr.t wA.t, “The path was very inaccessible.”

Question 21

Interrogative Adjectival Predicates

Answer 21

Adjectival predicates are generally not interrogated, but occasionally you will see them interrogated by in, but this is limited to Old Egyptian mostly