4.3 Comparison of adjectives

Comparison of adjectives in Latin allows for nuanced expression of qualities. By mastering positive, comparative, and superlative degrees, students can describe and compare objects, people, or concepts with greater precision and sophistication.

Regular comparison follows predictable patterns, while irregular forms require memorization. Understanding these rules enables students to recognize and form compared adjectives quickly, enhancing their ability to comprehend and compose Latin texts effectively.

Types of comparison

• Comparison of adjectives forms a crucial part of Latin grammar allowing for more nuanced expression of qualities
• Understanding the three degrees of comparison enhances the ability to describe and compare objects, people, or concepts in Latin texts
• Mastery of comparison types provides tools for more sophisticated and precise communication in Elementary Latin

Positive degree

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• Represents the basic, uncompared form of the adjective (longus, long)
• Used to describe a quality without reference to other objects or entities
• Serves as the foundation for forming comparative and superlative degrees
• Retains standard adjectival endings based on declension (-us, -a, -um for first/second declension)

Comparative degree

• Expresses a quality to a greater extent than the positive degree (longior, longer)
• Formed by adding specific suffixes to the adjective stem
• Used to compare two entities or groups directly
• Often translated into English using "more" or "-er" endings (fortior, braver or more brave)

Superlative degree

• Indicates the highest degree of a quality among three or more entities (longissimus, longest)
• Formed by adding distinct suffixes to the adjective stem
• Used to express the extreme or utmost degree of a quality
• Typically translated into English using "most" or "-est" endings (fortissimus, bravest or most brave)

Regular comparison

• Regular comparison follows predictable patterns for forming comparatives and superlatives
• Understanding these patterns facilitates quick recognition and formation of compared adjectives in Latin texts
• Mastering regular comparison rules provides a foundation for tackling irregular forms

First and second declension

• Positive degree ends in -us, -a, -um (bonus, bona, bonum)
• Comparative formed by adding -ior (m./f.) and -ius (n.) to the stem (melior, melius)
• Superlative created by adding -issimus, -issima, -issimum to the stem (optimus, optima, optimum)
• Adjectives like pulcher (beautiful) follow special rules for superlatives, adding -rimus (pulcherrimus)

Third declension

• Positive degree often ends in -is, -e or a consonant (fortis, forte)
• Comparative formed similarly to first/second declension, adding -ior/-ius (fortior, fortius)
• Superlative created by adding -issimus/-issima/-issimum to the stem (fortissimus)
• Some third declension adjectives have irregular comparisons (vetus, old veterior, veterrimus)

Irregular comparison

• Irregular comparisons deviate from standard patterns of adjective comparison
• Learning these forms is crucial for accurate translation and comprehension of Latin texts
• Many commonly used adjectives in Latin have irregular comparative and superlative forms

Common irregular adjectives

• Bonus (good) melior (better) optimus (best)
• Malus (bad) peior (worse) pessimus (worst)
• Magnus (great) maior (greater) maximus (greatest)
• Parvus (small) minor (smaller) minimus (smallest)
• Multus (much) plus (more) plurimus (most)

Defective comparisons

• Some adjectives lack certain degrees of comparison (positive, comparative, or superlative)
• Prior (former) and primus (first) lack a positive degree
• Novus (new) uses recentior for comparative but novissimus for superlative
• Understanding defective comparisons prevents confusion when encountering these forms in texts

Formation of comparatives

• Comparatives in Latin allow for direct comparison between two entities or groups
• Proper formation of comparatives is essential for expressing degrees of quality or quantity
• Recognizing comparative forms aids in accurate translation and interpretation of Latin passages

Adding -ior/-ius

• Remove the ending of the positive degree adjective to find the stem
• Add -ior for masculine and feminine forms (altior, higher)
• Add -ius for neuter forms (altius, higher)
• Apply this rule to most regular adjectives across all declensions

Declension of comparatives

• Comparatives follow third declension adjective endings
• Nominative singular: -ior (m./f.), -ius (n.)
• Genitive singular: -ioris (all genders)
• Dative singular: -iori (all genders)
• Accusative singular: -iorem (m./f.), -ius (n.)
• Ablative singular: -iore (all genders)

Formation of superlatives

• Superlatives express the highest degree of a quality among three or more entities
• Proper formation of superlatives enhances the ability to convey extreme qualities in Latin
• Understanding superlative formation aids in recognizing and using these forms effectively in translation

Adding -issimus/-a/-um

• Remove the ending of the positive degree adjective to find the stem
• Add -issimus (m.), -issima (f.), -issimum (n.) to the stem
• Apply this rule to most regular adjectives (altissimus, highest)
• Decline superlatives like first and second declension adjectives

Special rules for -er adjectives

• Adjectives ending in -er form superlatives by adding -rimus/-a/-um
• Retain the -er ending and add the superlative suffix (pulcher pulcherrimus, most beautiful)
• This rule applies to adjectives like acer (sharp), celeber (famous), and saluber (healthy)
• Memorize these forms as they differ from the standard -issimus pattern

Comparison with quam

• Quam introduces a comparative clause in Latin, similar to "than" in English
• Understanding quam constructions is crucial for expressing complex comparisons
• Mastery of quam usage enhances the ability to create nuanced comparative statements

Ablative of comparison

• Used as an alternative to quam in comparative constructions
• The object of comparison appears in the ablative case
• Allows for more concise expression of comparisons (Marcus altior Quinto est, Marcus is taller than Quintus)
• Often preferred in poetry for its brevity and elegance

Quam with nominative

• Quam followed by a nominative noun or pronoun creates a standard comparison
• Both elements being compared appear in the same case (Marcus altior est quam Quintus)
• Provides clarity in complex comparisons or when the ablative might cause ambiguity
• Allows for comparison of actions or states, not just qualities (Facilius est dicere quam facere, It is easier to say than to do)

Absolute superlatives

• Absolute superlatives express a very high degree of a quality without direct comparison
• Understanding the distinction between absolute and relative superlatives refines translation skills
• Recognizing absolute superlatives aids in capturing the intended emphasis in Latin texts

Meaning vs relative superlatives

• Absolute superlatives indicate an extremely high degree (very brave) rather than the highest degree (bravest)
• Often translated using intensifiers like "very" or "extremely" instead of "most"
• Context determines whether a superlative should be interpreted as absolute or relative
• Relative superlatives maintain the traditional "most" or "-est" translation (fortissimus omnium, bravest of all)

Formation and usage

• Formed identically to relative superlatives (-issimus/-a/-um or -rimus/-a/-um for -er adjectives)
• Often accompanied by words like valde (very) or quam (how) to emphasize the absolute sense
• Frequently used in descriptive passages or rhetorical statements for emphasis
• Can be repeated for additional intensity (optimissimus, the very very best)

Adverbial comparisons

• Adverbial comparisons allow for the expression of degrees in actions or states
• Understanding adverbial comparison enhances the ability to describe how actions are performed
• Mastery of adverbial forms complements adjectival comparison skills in Latin composition

Formation from adjectives

• Positive degree: add -e to second declension adjectives, -iter or -er to third declension
• Comparative degree: use the neuter singular form of the comparative adjective (altius, more highly)
• Superlative degree: change -us of the superlative adjective to -e (altissime, most highly)
• Irregular adverbs often correspond to irregular adjectives (bene, melius, optime from bonus)

Irregular adverb comparisons

• Some common adverbs have irregular comparative and superlative forms
• Bene (well) melius (better) optime (best)
• Male (badly) peius (worse) pessime (worst)
• Multum (much) plus (more) plurimum (most)
• Parum (little) minus (less) minime (least)

Comparison in context

• Understanding how comparisons function within sentences and broader texts is crucial
• Recognizing the role of comparisons in different genres enhances interpretation skills
• Applying comparison knowledge to various contexts improves overall Latin comprehension

Attributive vs predicative use

• Attributive use directly modifies a noun (vir melior, a better man)
• Predicative use completes the meaning of a linking verb (vir est melior, the man is better)
• Superlatives often appear attributively to emphasize a quality (optimus amicus, the best friend)
• Context determines whether a comparative or superlative is used attributively or predicatively

Comparison in poetry vs prose

• Poetry often employs more concise forms of comparison, favoring the ablative of comparison
• Prose may use more explicit quam constructions for clarity in complex comparisons
• Poetic texts might use comparisons more figuratively or for rhetorical effect
• Prose tends to use comparisons more literally or for logical argumentation

Translation strategies

• Effective translation of Latin comparisons requires understanding both Latin and English conventions
• Developing strategies for rendering comparisons enhances overall translation quality
• Practicing various translation techniques improves fluency in expressing Latin comparatives and superlatives

Rendering comparatives in English

• Use "-er" endings for short adjectives (altior, higher or taller)
• Employ "more" for longer adjectives or adverbs (studiosior, more studious)
• Consider context to choose between equal comparisons (tam...quam, as...as) and unequal comparisons (-ior quam, more...than)
• Maintain the sense of comparison even when restructuring sentences for natural English flow

Expressing superlatives effectively

• Use "-est" endings for short adjectives (altissimus, highest or tallest)
• Apply "most" for longer adjectives or adverbs (studiosissimus, most studious)
• Distinguish between relative superlatives (the bravest of all) and absolute superlatives (very brave)
• Consider adding phrases like "of all" or "ever" to emphasize true superlatives in context