Comparison of Adjectives Degrees of Adjectives in Latin and English Positive – wicked: scelestus-a-um Comparative – more wicked: scelestior + 3 rd decl.** Superlative – most/very wicked: scelestissimus-a-um** Types of Adjectives in Latin 1 st /2 nd declension: -us,-a,-um = Nom. Sing. endings 3 rd declension: -is,-is,-e** = Nom. Sing. Endings Agreement of Nouns and Adj. in Latin Agree in gender, number, case (GNC) **comparative adjectives have “-ior” + a 3 rd declension adj. ending to agree w/the noun** **Other superlative adj. end in “illimus,a,um”, “rrimus,a,um” **not all 3 rd declension adjectives have these 3 nom. sing. endings; we will learn about them NEXT year**

Comparison of Adjectives, pt. 2 Superlative Adjectives Some adjectives are the “superlative” degree by definition alone e.g. OPTIMUS – bestMAXIMUS – greatest, loudest PESSIMUS – worst biggest How to recognize the degree of an adjective Look for the “key” letters in the words; highlight them on the previous page

“quam” and Adjectives quam = “than” or “how” Uses of “quam” 1.quam + regular/positive adj. = “how” ex. quam pulchra est puella! How pretty the girl is! 2. quam + comparative adj. = “than” ex. Caecilius est quam pulchrior Quintus. Caecilius is more handsome than Quintus. 3. quam + superlative adj. = “as…as possible” ex. quam celerrimus – as quick as possible ***when used with a superlative ADVERB, quam celerrime = as quickLY as possible

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!! Identify the DEGREE of each adjective and TRANSLATE: 1.iratus - ______________ ________________ 2.malus - ______________ _______________ 3.pulcherrimae -_________ _______________ 4.facillimo - ____________ _______________ 5.faciliorem - ___________ _______________ 6.magnī - ______________ _______________ 7.maior - ______________ _______________ 8.minor - ______________ _______________ 9.minimīs - _____________ _______________