Weak Adjectives
The weak form of an adjective is used when the adjective is preceded by a demonstrative pronoun, such as 'se' or 'þes', or the possessive pronouns 'min', 'þin', 'ure', 'eower'. For example, 'se goda mann geaf to me hund – the good man gave a dog to me' or 'heo lufaþ ure godan hundas - she loves our good dogs'.
Subject
Pronoun
Weak
Adjective
Subject
Noun
Verb
Preposition
Indirect
Pronoun
Direct
Object
Subject
Pronoun
Verb
Possessive
Pronoun
Weak
Adjective
Direct
Object
Weak adjectives are considered grammatically weak as they have comparatively few suffixes compared to strong adjectives. In the table below, you will find the declensions for 'god - good', 'halig - holy', 'heah - high' and 'wis - wise'. Notice that only the nominative singular, neuter accusative, and the plural genitive and dative have different endings. Remember, an adjective always takes the gender of the noun it is modifying.
Masculine | Neuter | Feminine | Plural | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nominative | goda | gode | gode | godan |
Accusative | godan | gode | godan | godan |
Genitive | godan | godan | godan | godra/godena |
Dative | godan | godan | godan | godum |
Masculine | Neuter | Feminine | Plural | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nominative | halga | halge | halge | halgan |
Accusative | halgan | halge | halgan | halgan |
Genitive | halgan | halgan | halgan | haligra/halgena |
Dative | halgan | halgan | halgan | halgum |
Masculine | Neuter | Feminine | Plural | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nominative | heaga | heage | heage | heagan |
Accusative | heagan | heage | heagan | heagan |
Genitive | heagan | heagan | heagan | heagra/heagena |
Dative | heagan | heagan | heagan | heagum |
Masculine | Neuter | Feminine | Plural | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nominative | wisa | wise | wise | wisan |
Accusative | wisan | wise | wisan | wisan |
Genitive | wisan | wisan | wisan | wisra/wisena |
Dative | wisan | wisan | wisan | wisum |
As you can see, adjectives follow very similar rules to nouns. You can practice weak adjectives using the questions below. Otherwise, feel free to continue on to Strong Adjectives.
Return to Intro to Adjectives Continue to Strong Adjectives