Description:

The tight binding modifier 'ni' is used to introduce 'less' or 'less than' comparisons. See attached article for more information.

Use with a Number:

When used before a number as a tight-binding modifier, it has the sense of 'less than' the number on the overall meaning of the quantifier, and it demands the paucal number, even in the case of 'ni ate', 'less than one'.

Adjective:

With nouns, it can be used on its own, in which case the thing compared to is inferred from context, or is can be used with the preposition 'erba' to introduce the object compared to. If used on its own it stays with its object, based on whether its object must go inside or outside the bracket. If used with 'erba', then it leaves the bracket, and the 'erba' clause goes with it immediately following.

Adverb:

As an adverb, the loose-binding form 'niy' ['ni.ə] form comes into play. The comparison operator can introduce a thematic argument of the verb, directly modifier the verb, or directly modify another adverb. In the former two cases, 'niy' is required so that it can take an object other than another modifier, and/or apply to the whole verb phrase. Otherwise, it acts much as it does as an adverb, with 'erba' introducing an optional object of comparison - the object of erba can also be a dependent clause introduced by 'sin'.

Noun:

In earlier modern Common, one could say 'na niy yn' to just talk about an unspecified 'more'. In later modern usage, people shorten that to 'niyn', and the AZK has accepted this usage.