Universal #280
Legacy number: 280
| Number | 279 |
| Original | If a zero expression occurs in the form of a certain person in the indicative mood, then, included in the meanings thus expressed (i.e. by a zero mark) we find the meaning of the 3rd person or that of the 1st person. |
| Standardized | IF any person has zero expression in the indicative mood, THEN it will be 3rd person singular or 1st person singular. |
| Formula | zero person marker (indicative mood) ⇒ 1Sg v 3Sg |
| Keywords | verb, mood, indicative, person, 1, 3, number, singular, zero, markedness |
| Domain | inflection |
| Type | no genuine implication; rather: provided that |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | absolute? |
| Basis | unspecified |
| Source | Uspensky 1968: 14 [Uspensky 1972: 68]; Vardul’ 1969, referring to Uspensky |
Discussion
Counterexamples
Standard English which has verb inflection with non-zero exponent for 3rd person singular, but zero with all other persons
Notes
Put implicationally: If any other person.number has zero expression, then 3SG or 1SG will also have zero expression.
Comment
Put implicationally: If any other person.number has zero expression, then 3SG or 1SG will also have zero expression.
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