Adjective Distribution
Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 2:56 am
I know that this forum hasn't been written on for a long, but I thought I would try to bring it back to life by asking a question about the textbook.
§64.6. πέλτας ἔχομεν καὶ μαχαίρας ἀγαθάς.
§132.1. ὄνοι ἄγριοι καὶ ἵπποι ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ ἦσαν.
In both of these examples, we have a single adjective and two nouns. My question is how we can determine whether the adjectives are distributed to both nouns or not. In the first example, are we talking about good shields and good swords/sabres, or are we talking about regular shields and good swords? In the second, are we talking about wild donkeys and wild horses, or are we talking about wild donkeys and non-wild horses?
Is there any syntax rule that would make this clear? Is there something about the placement of the adjective (for example, in the second, it follows the first noun, which might break it up – I'm just not sure)? How would you take each of these, and could you give a reference to point me in some direction on it?
Thanks!
§64.6. πέλτας ἔχομεν καὶ μαχαίρας ἀγαθάς.
§132.1. ὄνοι ἄγριοι καὶ ἵπποι ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ ἦσαν.
In both of these examples, we have a single adjective and two nouns. My question is how we can determine whether the adjectives are distributed to both nouns or not. In the first example, are we talking about good shields and good swords/sabres, or are we talking about regular shields and good swords? In the second, are we talking about wild donkeys and wild horses, or are we talking about wild donkeys and non-wild horses?
Is there any syntax rule that would make this clear? Is there something about the placement of the adjective (for example, in the second, it follows the first noun, which might break it up – I'm just not sure)? How would you take each of these, and could you give a reference to point me in some direction on it?
Thanks!