Lesson 11

Question 1

In Greek, as in English, an adjective has three degrees: positive, comparative, and superlative. In English one normally adds -er or -est, as in wise, wiser, wisest.

The common way to make a comparative in Greek is to take the stem (χαλεπ-, ὑγιειν-; just drop the -ος) and add:

___________ after a long syllable
___________ after a short syllable

Answer 1

• ότερος, α, ον after a long syllable (ὑγιεινότερος - healthier, more healthy)
• ώτερος, α, ο after a short syllable (σοφώτερος - wiser, more wise)

(The point is to avoid four short syllables in a row. Note that -ερ in Greek is like our -er in English: faster, better, etc.)

Question 2

In Greek, as in English, an adjective has three degrees: positive, comparative, and superlative. In English one normally adds -er or -est, as in wise, wiser, wisest.

The common way to make a superlative in Greek is to take the stem (χαλεπ-, ὑγιειν-; just drop the -ος) and add:

___________ after a long syllable
___________ after a short syllable

Answer 2

• ότατος, η, ον after a long syllable (ὑγιεινότατος - healthiest, most healthy)
• ώτατος, η, ον after a short syllable (σοφώτατος - wisest, most wise)

(The class to which a superlative belongs is in the genitive.
ὀ Σωκράτης σοφώτατος πάντων ἀνθρώπων. Socrates is wisest of all men.)

Question 3

Form the nominative singular of the comparative and superlative for

σοφός

Answer 3

σοφώτερος, α, ον ;

σοφώτατος, η, ον

Question 4

Form the nominative singular of the comparative and superlative for

ὑγιεινός

Answer 4

ὑγιεινότερος, α, ον

ὑγιεινότατος, η, ον

Question 5

Translate:

παλαιότερος νόμος

Answer 5

an older law

Question 6

Translate:

τὸ παλαιότατον τῶν ἱματίων

Answer 6

the oldest of the cloaks

Question 7

Translate:

τὰ νεώτερα βιβλία

Answer 7

the newer books

Question 8

Translate:

τῇ δηλοτάτῃ φωνῇ

Answer 8

with the clearest voice

Question 9

Translate:

τῇ δηλοτέρᾳ φωνῇ

Answer 9

with the clearer voice

Question 10

Translate:

τῇ χαλεπωτάτῃ ὁδῷ

Answer 10

by the most difficult road

Question 11

The standard of comparison (that to which someone or something is being compared) can be expressed in the genitive or by using the same case + ἤ

Translate:

νομίζω αὐτὴν σοφωτέραν εἲναι τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ.
νομίζω αὐτὴν σοφωτέραν εἲναι ἤ τὸν ἀδελφόν.

Answer 11

Both mean:

I consider her wiser than her brother.

Question 12

Translate the following. Express the same meaning in a sentence using a genitive of comparison.

ὁ στρατιώτης πλουσιώτερος ἤ ὁ ποιητής.

Answer 12

The soldier is richer than the poet.

ὁ στρατιώτης πλουσιώτερος τοῦ ποιητοῦ.

Question 13

Translate the following. Express the same meaning in a sentence using a genitive of comparison.

τὸν στρατιώτην νομίζω νεώτερον εἶναι ἤ τὸν ποιητήν.

Answer 13

I consider the soldier to be younger than the poet.

τὸν στρατιώτην νομίζω νεώτερον εἶναι τοῦ ποιητοῦ.

Question 14

ὡς OR ὄτι + superlative = ____________

Answer 14

strengthened superlative

Question 15

To translate ὡς ορ ὄτι + superlative, use….

Answer 15

as…. as can be
as…. as possible
exceedingly

Question 16

Translate the following:

ἔστιν ὡς ῥᾳδιώτατον.

ἔστιν ὄτι ῥᾳδιώτατον.

Answer 16

Both mean

It is as easy as can be / exceedingly easy / as easy as possible.

Question 17

Translate into Greek

She is wiser than her sister. (2 ways)

Answer 17

σωφωτέρα τῆς ἀδελφῆς ἐστιν / σωφωτέρα ἐστὶν ἢ ἡ ἀδελφή.

Question 18

Translate into Greek.

I consider her to be wiser than her sister.

Answer 18

νομίζω αὐτὴν εἶναι σοφωτέραν τῆς ἀδελφῆς or νομίζω αὐτὴν εἶναι σοφωτέραν ἢ τὴν ἀδελφήν.

Question 19

Translate into Greek.

He is as rich as can be.

Answer 19

ὡς πλουσιώτατός ἐστιν.

Question 20

Translate into Greek.

He is the richest of the doctors.

Answer 20

τῶν ἰατρῶν ἐστιν ὁ πλουσιώτατος.

Question 21

Translate into Greek.

I do not give gifts to the most foolish doctors.

Answer 21

τοῖς πλουσιωτάτοις ἰατροῖς δῶρα οὐ δίδωμι.

Question 22

Greek uses different form for direct or indirect questions.

Translate:
πότερος νοσεῖ;

Answer 22

Which one [of 2] is sick?

Direct question

Question 23

Greek uses different form for direct or indirect questions.

Translate:
ἐρωτᾷς ὀπότερος νοσεῖ.

Answer 23

You ask which(ever) one [of 2] is sick.

Indirect question

Question 24

What does ὤστε + Infinitive show? How do you translate it?

Answer 24

probable or intended result.

Translate so as to…
When there is a new subject for the infinitive, translate so as for X to…

Question 25

Translate:

γράφω ὤστε μανθάνειν.

Answer 25

I write so as to learn.

Question 26

Translate:

γράφω ὤστε αὐτὸν μανθάνειν.

Answer 26

I write so as for him to learn.