Universal 101: N Poss ⇒ N A;
equivalently: A N ⇒ Poss N

Universal 101: N Poss ⇒ N A;
equivalently: A N ⇒ Poss N

Original

If the possessive adjective follows the noun, then the descriptive adjective follows the noun.

Standardized

IF the possessive adjective follows the noun, THEN the descriptive adjective follows the noun.

OR, EQUVALENTLY, BY CONTRAPOSITION:
IF the descriptive adjective precedes the noun, THEN the possessive adjective precedes the noun.

Keywords

order, possessive, noun, adjective

Domain

syntax

Type

implication

Status

achronic

Quality

statistical

Basis

sample of 350 languages in Hawkins 1983

Source

Hawkins 1983: 109

Counterexamples

N Poss & A N: Bukidnon (W. Malayo-Polynesian, Austronesian), Kapampangan (Philippine Austronesian) (Hawkins 1983: 110). Gbaya Kaka, Gbeya Bossangoa, Sango, Linda, Nzakara (Adamawa-Ubangian, Niger-Congo); Majang (Surmic, Nilo-Saharan), Aja (Bongo-Bagirmi, Nilo-Saharan); Pa’anci (West Chadic, Afro-Asiatic); Icelandic (N. Germanic, Indo-European), [Car] Nicobarese (Austroasiatic), Batad Ifugao (Philippine Austronesian), Muruwari (Pama-Nyungan, Australian) (Dryer 2000).