Adjective: Comparative

MorphologyAdjective – Comparatives (regular -οτερος, α, ον)

• Regular comparative adjectives are formed by adding the suffix -οτερος to the stem
• The ending of the suffix changes according to the regular -ος/α/ον adjective pattern (see 17.3.3.1; note the α ending for the fem rather than η due to the ρ), e.g. ἰσχυρότερος, ἰσχυροτέρα, ἰσχυρότερον

fromLesson 34.2

SyntaxAdjective – Comparatives

Because it is used to compare two things, the comparative must be used when one individual or group of individuals is related to another. Lydia is stronger always means that Lydia is stronger than someone else. Who is being compared may not be explicit (it may be clear from the context), but it is always at least implied. When the individual or group is explicitly given, it will appear in the genitive:

• (325) Genitive of thing being compared
• Λυδία ἰσχυροτέρα αὐτοῦ ἐστιν
• Lydia is stronger than him

fromLesson 34.2

SemanticsAdjective – Comparatives (1 – Comparing scalar properties)

There are two important things to remember about the meaning of comparatives. First, we are comparing two degrees of a single property possessed by two things. We are not necessarily comparing two entities absolutely, but only a property each has, such as height in an adjective like taller. These properties are normally measured along a scale (see Sem A). The second thing to remember is that comparatives make reference to a comparison set, i.e. individual(s) being compared to someone else. If the two things being compared are not explicitly given, the comparison set must be determined by context. These abstract notions are best explained with a real example:

• (326) Comparative meaning
• ἔρχεται ὁ ἰσχυρότερός μου ὀπίσω μου (Mark 1:7)
• Someone mightier than me is coming after me

fromLesson 34.2