Universal #85
Legacy number: 85
| Number | 85 |
| Original | The non-null set of agreeing non-subjects of any language includes some or all direct objects; or in other words, if in a language the verb agrees with anything other than subjects, it agrees with some or all direct objects. |
| Standardized | IF the verb agrees with anything other than subjects, THEN it agrees with some or all direct objects. |
| Keywords | verb, agreement, subject, direct object |
| Domain | inflection, syntax |
| Type | implication |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | absolute? |
| Basis | languages in Moravcsik 1974 |
| Source | Moravcsik 1974: 28 |
Discussion
Notes
1. Is this the claim?IF the verb agrees with some or all direct objects, THEN it agrees with subjects.Rather:IF the verb agrees with non-direct objects, THEN it agrees with some or all direct objects.That is, there is a relational hierarchy for verb agreement:Sbj > dObj > other2. Cf. #294; also ## 86, 45.
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IF the verb agrees with some or all direct objects, THEN it agrees with subjects.
Rather:
IF the verb agrees with non-direct objects, THEN it agrees with some or all direct objects.
That is, there is a relational hierarchy for verb agreement:
Sbj > dObj > other
2. Cf. <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=294"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">; also <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=86"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">, <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?intry_id=45"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">.