ROM: Lesson - Adjective Position

Adjective Position

In English, we understand what adjective describes a particular noun because of the adjective's position. It is usually placed directly in front of the noun it refers to:

• the good girl
• the tall men
• much grain
• few boys

Additionally, an English adjective can following a linking verb as a predicate adjective:

• The girl is good.
• The men are tall.

Latin Adjectives - General Guidelines

In Latin, as we have learned, position is not important when determining noun agreement (we use Case, Number and Gender for noun-adjective agreement in Latin). Even so, Latin did tend to follow some general guidelines on where to place an adjective:

• Adjectives are regularly placed next to the noun they agree with.
  • However, there is nothing saying this has to be true and certain authors, poets in particular, would avoid an adjective being next to its noun.
• Adjectives of Quality/Descriptive Adjectives:
  • Most adjectives follow the noun they agree with.
    • viri longi
    • puella laeta
    • Look back to the previous section: notice that the adjective followed the noun in each example (nuntium laetum, feminam laetam, etc.).
    • This is the most common position for a Latin adjective which identifies quality. Quality refers to type or make-up of something. These adjectives are also sometimes called descriptive adjectives.
• Adjectives of Quantity
  • Certain adjectives will be placed before the noun
    • multum frumentum
    • pauci pueri
    • This is the most common position for a Latin adjective which identifies the quantity. Quantity refers to how many or how much of the thing described is present.
• Adjectives will be used following linking verbs as predicate adjectives as with English:
  • Puella est bona.
  • Viri sunt longi.

N.B. None of the these rules is without exception. The key to remember is that adjectives do not depend on position for agreement, but rather depend on agreement with a noun in case, number and gender.

N.B. II There is a possibility for agreement confusion with adjectives when there is more than one noun with the same case, number and gender, or if the ending of the adjective could be used for different cases: Opus novum Decimum delectavit. Does novum describe opus (neuter, nom. sing) or does it describe Decimum (masculine, acc. sing)? The ending -um could be used on an adjective describing either noun, so use your best judgement to determine agreement. Which makes more sense - new task or new Decimus? Clearly, here, novum is meant to agree with opus: The new task pleased Decimus.