Comparatives and superlatives

Comparatives and Superlatives

• In Latin grammar, comparatives and superlatives are forms used to indicate degrees of an adjective or adverb’s intensity.
• Comparatives are used to compare two things, while superlatives are used to express the highest degree of something.

Forming Comparatives

• Most Latin adjectives and adverbs form the comparative by adding ‘-ior’ (for masculine and feminine) or ‘-ius’ (for neuter) to the stem.
• For example, the comparative form of ‘altus’ (high, deep) is ‘altior’ or ‘altius’, meaning ‘higher’ or ‘deeper’.
• Note that comparatives in Latin agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify.

Forming Superlatives

• Superlative adjectives and adverbs are typically formed by adding ‘-issimus’, ‘-issima’, ‘-issimum’ to the adjective/adverb stem.
• For example, the superlative of ‘altus’ is ‘altissimus’, ‘altissima’, or ‘altissimum’, translating to ‘highest’ or ‘deepest’.
• Sometimes additional changes occur in the stem vowel before the superlative endings are added.
• Superlatives also agree with the nouns they modify in gender, number, and case.

Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives

• Some adjectives and adverbs have irregular comparative and superlative forms.
• For example, ‘bonus’ (good) forms ‘melior’ and ‘optimus’ instead of *bonior and bonissimus.

Using Comparatives and Superlatives

• A comparative adjective is often followed by a noun in the ablative case or by ‘quam’ and the nominative case.
• Superlatives in Latin may be used absolutely (i.e., without explicitly mentioning what is being compared), meaning ‘very’ or ‘extremely’.
• When a superlative is used to compare, it is usually followed by ‘quam’.

Remember: It’s crucial to learn and practice both regular and irregular forms of comparatives and superlatives.