Universal 500: In expressions of volition and purpose:
OV ⇒ Subordinate-Main verb; VO ⇒ Main verb-Subordinate

Universal 500: In expressions of volition and purpose:
OV ⇒ Subordinate-Main verb; VO ⇒ Main verb-Subordinate

Original

In expressions of volition and purpose, a subordinate verbal form always follows the main verb as the normal order except in those languages in which the nominal object always precedes the verb.

Standardized

IF basic order is OV, THEN, in expressions of volition and purpose, the main verb follows the subordinate verb.

IF basic order is VO, THEN, in expressions of volition and purpose, the main verb precedes the subordinate verb.

Keywords

order, clause combining, volition, verb, subordination

Domain

syntax

Type

implication

Status

achronic

Quality

statistical

Basis

sample of 30 languages in Greenberg 1963, sample of 543 languages in Dryer 1992

Source

Greenberg 1963: 84, #15, Dryer 1992: 94

Counterexamples