Universal 665:

Universal 665:

Original

Yes-no question inversion implies a resultant VSO order.

In periphrastic constructions the finite auxiliary always occupies the V slot of the inverted constituent order and precedes the main or non-finite verb.

Standardized

IF there is inversion of subject and verb in yes-no questions, THEN the resulting order is VSO (and the basic order will therefore be SVO).

Keywords

order, interrogative sentence, yes-no question, subject-verb inversion, periphrastic construction, auxiliary, finite verb

Domain

syntax

Type

implication

Status

achronic

Quality

absolute

Basis

79 languages surveyed in Ultan 1978c

Source

Ultan 1978c: 231

Counterexamples