Universal #502

Legacy number: 502

 Number  500
 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.
 Formula  In expressions of volition and purpose:
OV ⇒ Subordinate-Main verb; VO ⇒ Main verb-Subordinate
 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</r.>
 Source  Greenberg 1963: 84, #15, Dryer 1992: 94

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Discussion
Notes
1. According to Dryer, the proportion of ‘VWant’ is higher among OV languages in all six macro-areas.2. This universal is a part of Dryer’s Branching Direction Theory (BDT) discussed in Dryer 1992: 108-118.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
1. According to Dryer, the proportion of "VWant" is higher among OV languages in all six macro-areas.

2. This universal is a part of Dryer's Branching Direction Theory (BDT) discussed in Dryer 1992: 108-118.