Koine Greek: Comparison

Synopsis: Comparison is a grammatical term that describes adjectives or adverbs that compare two nouns. There are three degrees of comparison - absolute degree (the usual use of an adjective such as αγαθος ανθρωπος - a good man); comparative (such as κρεισσων ανθρωπος - a better man); and superlative (such as strongest man).

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Related topics

• Adjectives
• Adverbs

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Lesson

Comparison is a grammatical term that describes adjectives or adverbs that compare two nouns.

There are three degrees of comparison

• Absolute degree (the usual use of an adjective such as αγαθος ανθρωπος - a good man)
• Comparative (such as κρεισσων ανθρωπος - a better man)
• Superlative (such as κρεισσπτερος ανθρωπος - strongest man).

Formation of Comparative Adjectives

Comparative adjectives (e.g. higher) are formed by taking the stem of the adjective and adding οτερος (if masculine) or οτερα (if feminine) or οτερον (if neuter). This is similar to English, where er is added to the adjective (for example: high becomes higher).

There are a number of irregular comparative adjectives such as αγαθος (good) which becomes κρεισσων (better). This is similar to English, where good becomes better.

Formation of Superlative Adjectives

Superlative adjectives (e.g. highest) are formed by taking the stem of the adjective and adding ατοτος (if masculine) or ατοτη (if feminine) or ατοτον (if neuter). This is similar to English, where est is added to the adjective (for example: high becomes highest).

There are a number of irregular superlative adjectives.

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