First Form Latin Lesson 23

[techette]

On worksheet 4, the placement of the adjective deep is confusing for me. I understand in Drill A - deep faith, why it comes after. It is a quality of faith. However, on Drill B - deep lakes, I don't understand why it is placed after. In this context, I associate deep with the size of the lake. Why does it go after? Thanks.

[Michael]

I'm sorry, but I looked at Lesson 23 and could not find the questions you mentioned. If "deep faith" is a question in Lesson 23, it is an error as "faith" is not taught until Lesson 26. On what page of the workbook did you see these two questions?

[techette]

My apologies. I mistyped. It is Lesson 27, worksheet 4.

[Michael]

Thanks! Latin word order is flexible, so putting the adjective before or after is correct, but you're right about deep faith vs. deep lakes. I would put deep before lakes also, as it is describing the size of the lake. I suppose someone could interpret it more poetically and think of deep as a description or quality. The most important thing at this stage of Latin is the grammar (For example, does the adjective agree in gender, number, and case?). If your grammar is correct but your word order is a little "off" (remember, the rules are often only general), don't worry. You've gotten the most important part, the grammar and translation.

[techette]

Thank you for the help. It's good to know that there is flexibility with the placement of adjectives.