Grammar | Adjectives

Question 1

Decline the 1 termination third declension adjective dīligēns, careful.

Answer 1

1. Singular (m./f., n.)
   nom.: dīligēns, dīligēns
   gen.: dīligentis
   dat.: dīligentī
   acc.: dīligentem
   abl.: dīligentī
2. Plural (m./f., n.)
   nom.: dīligentēs, dīligentia
   gen.: dīligentium, dīligentium
   dat.: dīligentibus, dīligentibus
   acc.: dīligentēs, dīligentia
   abl.: dīligentibus

Question 2

Decline the 2 terminations third declension adjective brevis, short.

Answer 2

1. Singular (m./f., n.)
   nom.: brevis, breve
   gen.: brevis, brevis
   dat.: brevī, brevī
   acc.: brevem, breve
   abl.: brevī, brevī
2. Plural (m./f., n.)
   nom.: brevēs, brevia
   gen.: brevium, brevium
   dat.: brevibus, brevibus
   acc.: brevēs, brevia
   abl.: brevibus, brevibus

Question 3

Decline the 3 terminations third declension adjective ācer, bitter.

Answer 3

1. Singular (m./f., n.)
   nom.: ācer (m), ācre (f); ācre
   gen.: ācris, ācris
   dat.: ācrī, ācrī
   acc.: ācrem, ācrem
   abl.: ācrī, ācrī
2. Plural (m./f., n.)
   nom.: ācrēs, ācria
   gen.: ācrium, ācrium
   dat.: ācribus, ācribus
   acc.: ācrēs, ācria
   abl.: ācribus, ācribus

Question 4

How is the comparative adjective formed in English and in Latin?

Answer 4

In English the comparative adjective is formed by adding er to the positive form or by using the adverb more. In Latin the comparative degree of most adjectives is formed by adding ior (m. and f.) or ius (n.) to the stem. The adjective is declined like a 3rd declension noun (not i-stem).

Ex. brevior, brevius; shorter

Question 5

How can than be expressed in Latin?

Answer 5

Than can be expressed two ways in Latin—using quam or using the ablative case.
When comparison is made using quam, both elements of the comparison are in the same case.
When the comparison is made without quam, the noun being compared is in the ablative case.

Ex. Dies est brevior nocte. The day is shorter than the night.

Question 6

How is the superlative degree formed?

Answer 6

The superlative degree of most adjectives is formed by adding issimus, a, um to the stem. It is declined like a 1st/2nd declension adjective.

Ex. brevissimus, a, um

Question 7

How do adjectives having their positive degree in er form their superlative?

Answer 7

Adjectives having their positive degree in er form their superlative by adding rimus to the nominative masculine singular of the positive.

Ex. miser, a, um; miserior, ius; miserrimus, a, um

Question 8

How do adjectives ending in lis form their superlative?

Answer 8

The adjectives facilis, e; difficilis, e; simils, e; dissimilis, e; gracilis, e; and humilis, e form their superlative by adding limus to the stem of the positive.

Ex. facilis, e; facilior, ius; facillimus, a, um

Question 9

How do other adjectives ending in lis form their superlatives?

Answer 9

Other adjectives ending in lis, such as fidelis, utilis, and nobilis form their superlatives with th regular ending rimus.

Question 10

Which adjectives form their comparatives and superlatives with the adverbs magis and maxime?

Answer 10

Adjectives ending in us preceded by a vowel form their comparatives and superlatives with the adverbs magis and maxime.

Ex. dubius; magis dubius; maxime dubius

Question 11

Are the Latin comparatives and superlatives weaker than the English?

Answer 11

The Latin comparatives and superlatives are weaker than the English and are frequently translated by adverbs such as rather (comparative) and very (superlative).

Question 12

What are the six irregular comparisons?

Answer 12

bonus, a, um (good)
melior, ius (better, ameliorate)
optimus, a, um (best, optimal)

malus, a, um (bad)
pejor, pejus (worse, pejorative)
pessimus, a, um (worst)

magnus, a, um (great)
major, majus (greater)
maximus, a, um (greatest)

parvus, a, um (small)
minor, minus (smaller)
minimus, a, um (smallest)

multus, a, um (much)
plus (n.. more)
plurimus, a, um (most)

multi, ae, a (many)
plures, plura (plural)
plurimi, ae, a (most)