ADJECTIVES WITH THE FORCE OF ADVERBS.

239.  The Latin often uses an Adjective where the English idiom employs an Adverb or an adverbial phrase; as,—­

    senatus frequens convenit, the senate assembled in great numbers;

    fuit assiduus mecum, he was constantly with me.

COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES.

240. 1.  The Comparative often corresponds to the English Positive with ‘rather,’ ‘somewhat,’ ‘too’; as,—­

    senectus est loquacior, old age is rather talkative.

2.  So the Superlative often corresponds to the Positive with ‘very’; as,—­

    vir fortissimus, a very brave man.

3.  Strengthening Words.  Vel and quam are often used with the Superlative as strengthening particles, vel with the force of ‘very,’ and quam with the force of ‘as possible’; as,—­

    vel maximus, the very greatest;

    quam maximae copiae, as great forces as possible.

4.  Phrases of the type ‘more rich than brave’ regularly take the Comparative in both members; as,—­

    exercitus erat ditior quam fortior, the army was more rich than
    brave.

OTHER PECULIARITIES.

241. 1.  Certain Adjectives may be used to denote a part of an object, chiefly primus, extremus, summus, medius, infimus, imus; as,—­

    summus mons, the top of the mountain;

    extrema hieme, in the last part of the winter.

2.  Prior, primus, ultimus, and postremus are frequently equivalent to a relative clause; as,—­

    primus eam vidi, I was the first who saw her;

    ultimus decessit, he was the last who withdrew.

3.  When multus and another adjective both limit the same noun et is generally used; as,—­

    multae et magnae cogitationes, many (and) great thoughts.

* * * * *

CHAPTER IV.—­Syntax of Pronouns.

PERSONAL PRONOUNS.

242. 1.  The Personal Pronouns as subjects of verbs are, as a rule, not expressed except for the purpose of emphasis, contrast, or clearness.  Thus ordinarily:—­

    video, I see; amat, he loves.

But ego te video, et tu me vides, I see you, and you see me.

2.  The Genitives mei, tui, nostri, vestri are used only as Objective Genitives; nostrum and vestrum as Genitives of the Whole.  Thus:—­

    memor tui, mindful of you;

    desiderium vestri, longing for you;

    nemo vestrum, no one of you.

  a.  But nostrum and vestrum are regularly used in the place of the
  Possessive in the phrases omnium nostrum, omnium vestrum.

3.  The First Plural is often used for the First Singular of Pronouns and Verbs.  Compare the Eng. editorial ‘we.’