Welcome to Unit Three. This unit introduces the basic principles for deriving simple English adjectives from Latin and Greek. Although much of the following discussion is germane to Greek adjectives, the primary focus is on Latin. Principles for Greek adjectives are presented more fully in Unit 4.

Temple of Castors, Rome

The following topics are addressed:

• adjectives and their roles in most languages,
• how Greek and Latin adjectives work,
• the concept of gender and how it relates to Latin adjectives, and
• four general rules of derivation.

After exploring Unit 3, students should be able to infer the definitions of English adjectives by recognizing the Latin (and Greek) roots from which they are formed.