Universal 962: (DefArt ≠ Dem) & VO ⇒ DefArt N;
(DefArt ≠ Dem) & OV ⇒ N DefArt

Universal 962: (DefArt ≠ Dem) & VO ⇒ DefArt N;
(DefArt ≠ Dem) & OV ⇒ N DefArt

Original

The more distinct the definite article form is from demonstratives, the more likely its position relative to the noun will correlate with the order of verb and object.

Standardized

IF the definite article is distinct from demonstratives and object follows verb, THEN the definite article precedes the noun.

IF the definite article is distinct from demonstratives and object precedes verb, THEN the definite article follows the noun.

Keywords

definite article, demonstrative, order, verb, object, noun

Domain

syntax

Type

implication

Status

achronic

Quality

statistical

Basis

sample of 125 languages in Dryer 1989a

Source

Dryer 1989a: 90, cited in Plank & Moravcsik 1996: 198

Counterexamples