Adjectives Adjectives have case, number, and gender. When used to modify nouns, they must agree with their noun in case, number, and gender. Adjectives may be used in three distinct ways: 1.
Attributively: the adjective attributes a quality to the noun modified. There are two possible positions of the adjective in relation to the noun: T-NSM A-NSM N-NSM T-NSM N-NSM T-NSM A-NSM ο αγαθος λογος or ο λογος ο αγαθος. Both are translated, “the good word”. Notice that a definite article precedes the adjective in both constructions. (In English an attributive adjective always goes before its noun.)
2.
Predicatively: The adjective makes an assertion about the noun. There are also two possible positions of the adjective in relation to the noun: T-NSM N-NSM A-NSM A-NSM T-NSM N-NSM ο λογος αγαθος or αγαθος ο λογος. Both are translated, “the word is good”. Notice that there is no definite article preceding the adjective. (In English a predicate adjective always goes after its noun.) This is tremendously important in the interpretation of Greek. The following summary will help to keep the distinction in mind: •
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ο αγαθος λογος ο λογος ο αγαθος ο λογος αγαθος αγαθος ο λογος
“the good word”: Attributive
“the word is good”: Predicate
3. Substantively: the adjective is used as a noun. T-NSM A-NSM ο αγαθος “the good man” T-NSF A-NSF η αγαθη “the good woman” *All without the use of a noun. Sometimes this form is used in a more general way: T-NPM A-NPM οι αγαθοι “the good men, the good ones”, the good people” or simply “the good”. Note: When translating, include all options: good men/ones/things or good women/ones/things.