The grammatical distinction observable in the following examples is agreeable to the strictest philosophical propriety:—Rinn mis an scian gheur, I made the sharp knife: here the Adjective agrees with the Noun, for it modifies the Noun, distinguishing that knife from others. Rinn mis an scian geur, I made the knife sharp: here the Adjective does not agree with the Noun, for it modifies not the Noun but the Verb. It does not characterize the object on which the operation is performed, hut it combines with the Verb in specifying the nature of the operation performed. The expression is equivalent to gheuraich mi an scian, I sharpened the knife. So also, mhothaich mi a' ghaoth fhuar, I felt the cold wind; but mhothaich mi a' ghaoth fuar, I felt the wind cold. In the former of these examples the Adjective modifies the Noun, and agrees with it; in the latter it does not agree with the Noun, for its use is to modify the Verb, or to specify the nature of the sensation felt. In like manner, dh' fhàg iad an obair criochnaichte, they left the work finished; fhuaradh an òigh sìnte, marbh, the maid was found stretched out dead. And so in other similar instances.

1. When an Adjective and Noun are so situated and related, that an agreement takes place between them, then the Adjective agrees with its noun in Gender, Number, and Case. A Noun preceded by the Numeral da two, though it be in the Singular Number, [see conclusion of Part II. Chap I.] takes an Adjective in the Plural; as, da iasg bheaga, two small fishes, John, vi. 9. The Initial Form of the Adjective depends partly on the Gender of the Noun, partly on its Termination, and partly on its being preceded by the Article.

The following examples of an Adjective declined along with its Noun, exhibit the varieties in the Initial Form, as well as in the Termination of the Adjective:—

MONOSYLLABLES.
Fear mòr, mas. a Great Man.
Without the Article.
Sing. Plur.
N. Fear mòr, Fir mhòra,
G. Fir mhòir, Fheara mòra,
D. Fear mòr, Fearaibh mòra,
V. Fhir mhòir. Fheara mòra.
With the Article.
N. Am Fear mòr, Na Fir mhòra,
G. An Fhir mhòir, Nam Fear mòra,
D. An Fhear mhòr. Na Fearaibh mòra.
Slat gheal, fem. a white rod.
Without the Article.
N. Slat gheal, Slatan geala,
G. Slaite gile, Shlatan geala,
D. Slait ghil, Slataibh geala,
V. Shlat gheal. Shlata geala.
With the Article.
N. An t-Slat gheal, Na Slatan geala,
G. Na Slaite gile, Nan Slata geala,
D. An t-Slait ghil. Na Slataibh geala.
POLYSYLLABLES.
Oglach dileas, m. a Faithful Servant.
Without the Article.
N. Oglach dileas, Oglaich dhileas,
G. Oglaich dhilis, Oglach dileas,
D. Oglach dileas, Oglachaibh dileas,
V. Oglaich dhilis. Oglacha dileas.
With the Article.
N. An t-Oglach dileas, Na h-Oglaich dhileas.
G. An Oglaich dhilis, Nan Oglach dileas.
D. An Oglach dhileas, Na h-Oglachaibh dileas.
Clarsach fhonnmhor, f. a Tuneful Harp.
Without the Article.
N. Clarsach fhonnmhor, Clarsaichean fonnmhor.
G. Clarsaich fonnmhoir, Chlarsach fonnmhor.
D. Clarsaich fhonnmhoir, Clarsaichibh fonnmhor.
V. Chlarsach fhonnmhor, Chlarsaiche fonnmhor.
With the Article.
N. A' Chlarsach fhonnmhor, Na Clarsaichean fonnmhor.
G. Na Clarsaich fonnmhoir, Nan Clarsach fonnmhor.
D. A', 'n Chlarsaich fhonnmhoir, Na Clarsaichibh fonnmhor.

An Adjective, beginning with a Lingual, and preceded by a Noun terminating in a Lingual, retains its primary Form in all the Singular cases; for the sake, it would seem, of preserving the agreeable sound arising from the coalescence of the two Linguals; as, nighean donn a brown maid, instead of nighean dhonn; a' choin duibh of the black dog, instead of a' choin dhuibh; air a' chois deis on his right foot, instead of air a chois dheis.

II. A Noun preceded by an Adjective assumes the aspirated Form; as, ard bheann a high hill, cruaidh dheuchainn a hard trial.

1. A Noun preceded by a Numeral is in the primary Form; as, tri meoir three fingers; to which add iomadh many, gach every; as, iomadh fear many a man; gach craobh every tree.—Except aon one, da two; ceud first; as, aon fhear one man, da chraoibh two trees.

2. A Noun preceded by any of the following Possessive Pronouns, a her, ar our, bhur your, an their, is in the primary