Comparison of Adverbs Chapter XXXII

Comparison of Adverbs The adverbs we’ve learned so far are used to describe a basic characteristic of the noun they modify. clārē = famously acriter = sharply This is called the “positive” degree of the adverb.

Comparison of Adverbs Just like in English, Latin adverbs can be used to show that an action has a greater degree of a certain characteristic than others, or more than is usual or customary.

Comparison of Adverbs The ‘comparative’ degree is used to compare one person or thing with just one other. The ‘superlative’ degree is used to compare a person or thing with two or more others. Positive: famously Comparative: more famously Superlative: most famously

Forming Comparatives The steps to form the Comparative Degree are based on the stem of the adjective: 1.Find stem of the adjective clārus, a, um felix, felicis 2.Add the comparative adverb ending. -ius (this is the same as the Neuter Comparative Adjective)

Forming Superlatives The steps to form the Superlative Degree are also based on the stem of the adjective: 1.Find stem of the adjective clārus, a, um felix, felicis 2.Add the superlative adverb endings issimē

Formation of Comparatives and Superlatives Pos.clārēfeliciter Comp.clāriusfelicius Super.clārissimēfelicissimē

Practice 1.comparative adverb of laetus, a, um 2.superlative adverb of aequus, a, um 3.comparative adverb of sapiēns, sapientis 4.superlative adverb of fortis, fortis

Quam Quam and the comparative: When quam follows a comparative, it functions as a coordinating conjunction meaning ‘than’ and linking the things being compared. The same case or construction that precedes quam follows it as well. Hic vir fortius pugnāvit quam egō. This man fought more bravely than I.

Quam Quam and the superlative: When quam precedes a superlative, it acts adverbially and indicates that the thing modified has the greatest possible degree of a quality. “as ______ as possible” Eg: Senātus consilium ducī dixit quam celerrimē. The senate told the plan to the leader as quickly as possible.

Ablative of Comparison When the first element to be compared is in the nominative or accusative case, the second element is often used in the ablative case (no quam) to show the comparison. Eg: Filia eius pulchrius canit feminā. His daughter sings more beautifully than the woman.

Peculiar Superlatives The six adjectives... facilissimilis difficilisdissimilis gracilishumilis that are peculiar in their superlative adjective forms use those same forms in the formation of their adverbs.

Peculiar Superlatives The six adjectives... facilisfacillimē similissimillimē difficilisdifficillimē dissimilisdissimillimē gracilisgracillimē humilishumillimē

Peculiar Superlatives 2) Any adjective with a masculine ending in –er, though forming regularly in the comparative, forms the superlative by adding –rimus directly to the masculine –er, NOT to the base. Ex: Positivepulcher, -chra, -chrum Comparativepulchrior, -ius Superlativepulcherrimus, -a, -um

Peculiar Superlatives 2) Any adjective with a masculine ending in –er, though forming regularly in the comparative, forms the superlative by adding –rimus directly to the masculine –er, NOT to the base. Ex: Adverb pulcher, -chra, -chrum pulchrē pulchrior, -iuspulchrius pulcherrimus, -a, -umpulcherrimē

Irregular Comparison There are a handful of adjectives which are so irregular that their forms will just have to be memorized. Luckily, we get a lot of English derivatives from these words! These adjectives include:

Irregular Comparison PositiveComparativeSuperlative benemeliusoptimē magnoperemaiusmaximē malepeiuspessimē multumplusplurimum parumminusminimē prior,-iusprimum

Homework? HW 41