Modern Greek/Lesson 07.3

Lesson 7.3: Comparative and Superlative Comparative The comparative is formed in two ways, but which can not be applied to all adjectives: a) With the word πιο (= more) and the adjective. It is this way which is used most, both orally and in writing. In some cases, in a typical style, it is used in its place the word πλέον, e.g. Το αεροπλάνο είναι πιο γρήγορο από το τρένο. (=The plane is faster than the train). Ο υπουργός αποδείχτηκε πλέον ενημερωμένος όλων των παρισταμένων.(=The minister turned out to be more informed than all those present). "Noun 1 (nominative) είναι πιο adjective από noun 2 (accusative)". E.g. Το τραπέζι είναι πιο μεγάλο από την καρέκλα The adjective has to agree with the first noun. Comparisons Comparisons of adjectives like -er and -est in English are expressed using the endings -τερος and -τατος: πλούσιος rich πλουσιότερος richer ο πλουσιότατος the richest ένας πλούσιος πολιτικός a rich politician ένας πλουσιότερος πολιτικός a richer politician ο πλουσιότατος πολιτικός the richest politician η πλουσιότατη βασίλισσα the richest queen Note the shift in the accent toward the end of the word. The common word μεγάλος, big, has the irregular form μεγαλύτερος. The word πιο can be used instead: Αυτός ο πολιτικός είναι πιο πλούσιος. That politician is richer. Αυτός ο πολιτικός είναι ο πιο πλούσιος. That politician is the richest. Vocabulary: πολύ much πολλοί many πόσος how much πόσοι how many περισσότερος more ελάχιστος least λίγο a little λίγοι a few τόσο ... όσο ... as ... as ... κοντά almost (used with numbers and amounts) αρκετά enough πάρα πολύ very much Superlative To be completed.