| Adjectives |
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The comparative degree in English is translated as "bigger" or "more fun." In Latin it is represented by 3rd declension endings -ior and -ius. To form the comparative, add -ior to the stem of the adjective. However, if the adjective modifies a neuter nominative or accusative singular noun, add -ius instead of -ior. Decline the resulting comparative adjective in the 3rd declension. Examples:
| Declension | Positive degree adjective | Comparative forms | Declension |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st - 2nd | iratus, irata, iratum angry |
iratior, iratius angrier, rather angry |
3rd |
| 1st - 2nd | laetus, laeta, laetum happy |
laetior, laetius happier, rather happy |
3rd |
| 3rd | prudens, prudentis sensible |
prudentior, prudentius more sensible, rather sensible |
3rd |
| 3rd | pinguis, pinguis, pingue fat |
pinguior, pinguius fatter, rather fat |
3rd |
| 3rd | nobilis, nobilis, nobile noble |
nobilior, nobilius nobler, more noble, rather noble |
3rd |
| 3rd | facilis, facilis, facile easy |
facilior, facilius easier, rather easy |
3rd |
| 1st - 2nd | pulcher, pulchra, pulchrum beautiful |
pulchrior, pulchrius more beautiful, rather beautiful |
3rd |
| 3rd | acer, acris, acre keen |
acrior, acrius keener, rather keen |
3rd |
Notice that pulcher and acer drop out -e- and their comparatives are built on the stems acr- and pulchr-. Notice too that, regardless of the declension of its positive form, a comparative adjective is always declined in the third declension. Study the declined noun-adjective pairs below:
| Positive Degree | novus vir | nova femina | novum tempus | |
| singular | nominative | novior vir | novior femina | novius tempus |
| genitive | novioris viri | novioris feminae | novioris temporis | |
| dative | noviori viro | noviori feminae | noviori tempori | |
| accusative | noviorem virum | noviorem feminam | novius tempus | |
| ablative | noviore viro | noviore feminâ | noviore tempori | |
| plural | nominative | noviores viri | noviores feminae | noviora tempora |
| genitive | noviorum viriorum | noviorum feminarum | noviorum temporum | |
| dative | novioribus virîs | novioribus feminîs | novioribus temporibus | |
| accusative | noviores viros | noviores feminas | noviora tempora | |
| ablative | novioribus virîs | novioribus feminîs | novioribus temporibus | |
Finally, you have probably learned to make comparisons using the ablative case. As an alternative, you can use quam with the nominative case:
A rabbit is faster than a tortoise = Lepus est celerior testudine = Lepus est celerior quam testudo
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