Universal 419: verb agreement (indefinite constituent) ⇒ verb agreement (definite constituent)

Universal 419: verb agreement (indefinite constituent) ⇒ verb agreement (definite constituent)

Original

There is no language where, given a constituent class including both definite and indefinite members, the verb would agree with some or all of the indefinite members but with none of the definite members.

Standardized

Provided there is a constituent class including both definite and indefinite members:
IF the verb agrees with some or all of its indefinite members, THEN the verb also agrees with its definite members.

Keywords

verb agreement, definiteness

Domain

inflection, syntax

Type

implication

Status

achronic

Quality

absolute

Basis

languages mentioned in Moravcsik 1974 , Moravcsik 1978b

Source

Moravcsik 1974 : 28, Moravcsik 1978b: 365,

Counterexamples