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Universal 498: OV ⇒ Subordinate-Main verb

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 498: OV ⇒ Subordinate-Main verb

Original
If the nominal object always precedes the verb, then verb forms subordinate to the main verb also precede it.
Standardized
IF the nominal object always precedes the verb, THEN verb forms subordinate to the main verb also precede it.
Keywords
order, object, noun, verb, subordinate
Domain
syntax
Type
implication
Status
achronic
Quality
absolute
Basis
30 languages of Greenberg 1963 sample
Source
Greenberg 1963: 84, #13
Counterexamples

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    Cf. Keenan’s claim for verb-initial languages (#1561): In verb-initial languages, verbal forms subordinate to the to the “main” verb (e.g. complements of verbs like ‘want’, ‘try’, etc.) always follow the main verb.

    1. May 2020

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