Weeks 7–8: Attributive vs. Predicate Positions

Introduction

In the last lesson, you learned that adjectives must agree with nouns in case, number, and gender. Now we’ll go one step further: understanding how the placement of the adjective in a sentence changes its function.

Greek adjectives can be used in two different ways:

1. Attributive position – describing the noun (the good man).

2. Predicate position – making a statement about the noun (the man is good).

This distinction is one of the most important features of Greek sentence structure.

Step 1: Attributive Position

When the adjective is inside the noun phrase, it modifies the noun directly.

Common Forms

1. Article + Adjective + Noun

• ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἀνθρωπος → the good man

2. Article + Noun + Adjective

• ὁ ἀνθρωπος ἀγαθός → also the good man (attributive if article repeats).

👉 The article “locks” the noun and adjective together.

Example Sentences

1. ὁ πιστὸς μαθητης → the faithful disciple

2. αἱ ἁγιαὶ γραφαί → the holy Scriptures

3. τὸ καλὸν δῶρον → the good gift

Step 2: Predicate Position

When the adjective stands outside the noun phrase, it makes a statement about the noun.

Common Forms

1. Adjective + Noun (no article on the adjective)

• ἀγαθὸς ὁ ἀνθρωπος → the man is good

2. Noun + Adjective (no article on the adjective)

• ὁ ἀνθρωπος ἀγαθός → the man is good

👉 Even if the verb “is” (ἐστιν) is not written, Greek often assumes it.

Example Sentences

1. ἀγαθὸς ὁ μαθητης → the disciple is good

2. πιστὸς ὁ θεος → God is faithful (1 Cor. 1:9)

3. ἁγιαὶ αἱ γραφαί → the Scriptures are holy

Step 3: Key Differences

• Attributive position = adjective describes the noun (the good disciple).

• Predicate position = adjective asserts something about the noun (the disciple is good).

👉 The article is the main clue. If the article “wraps around” the adjective and noun, it’s attributive. If the article only appears with the noun, it’s predicate.

Step 4: Biblical Examples

1. Attributive:

• ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός (ho poimēn ho kalos) → “the good shepherd” (John 10:11).

2. Predicate:

• πνεῦμα ὁ θεός (pneuma ho theos) → “God is spirit” (John 4:24).

Practice Assignments

1. Identification
Decide whether each is attributive or predicate:

1. ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἀνθρωπος

2. ἀγαθὸς ὁ ἀνθρωπος

3. ὁ μαθητης πιστός

2. Translation
Translate into English:

1. πιστὸς ὁ κυριος.

2. ὁ κυριος ὁ πιστός.

3. ἁγιαὶ αἱ γραφαί.

3. Sentence Creation
Write 3 attributive sentences and 3 predicate sentences using adjectives you’ve learned (ἀγαθός, πιστός, ἅγιος, καλός). Provide English translations.

4. Daily Review
Practice spotting attributive vs. predicate adjectives in your Scripture reading. Start with John 1 and underline every adjective you see.

Encouragement

This lesson may feel subtle at first, but it is one of the most important skills for accurate Greek reading. With practice, you’ll begin to “see” the difference instantly.

Remember: the article is your guide. If it wraps around the adjective and noun, it’s attributive. If not, it’s predicate.

Once you master this distinction, you’ll be able to recognize when Scripture is describing something and when it is making a profound statement of truth.

Keep pressing on—you’re growing from basic forms into true translation skills!