Difference between revisions of "Word Order"
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Revision as of 07:53, 23 June 2009
to see a definition of the term syntax see Syntax (definition)
Contents
Basic Word Order
Neutral Indicative Clauses
In information structure-neutral indicative clauses with a transitive verb, the word order is Verb+Subject+Object (VSO). Due to restrictions on the inflection of verbs, this is primarily true only in past tense and future tense clauses. In the present tense, an auxiliary construction is typically used.
(1)
Phòg Muirgheal Pòl kiss.past Muriel Paul verb subject object Muriel kissed Paul
When the verb is intransitive, then the order is still verb initial:
(2)
Dh'fhag Muirgheal leave.past Muriel verb subject Muriel left.
When the verb in ditransitive, then the order is VSO followed by a prepositional phrase (PP) indicating the indirect object (i.e. the equivalent to John put the book on the table). In Gaelic, there are no double object constructions (like the English John gave Mary the book) instead prepositional constructions must be used (John gave the book to Mary)
(3)
The position and ordering of Adverbs and Adverbials
Word order in Neutral Negative Sentences, Yes/No Questions, and Negative Yes/No questions
Word order with Neutral Grade Pronouns
- Main article Pronoun Postposing
Word order with non-verbal predicates
Non-verbal predicates are predicates that aren't verbs (John is a fool, John is big, John is in the living room).
Using the verb Bi
When an [[Adjective (definition)|adjective] or a prepositional phrase (PP) is serving as the predicate (e.g. John is big. John is in the room. The order of elements uses some form of the verb [[bi (irregular verb), followed by the subject followed by the nonverbal predicate:
X)
Thà Iain mòr Be.pres John big John is big
Y)
Bhà Iain anns an seòmar be.past John in.def the room John was in the room
Using the verb Is
With no verb (small clauses)
Word order in Auxiliary Constructions
In Imperfect (Progressive) clauses
In Gaelic the normal present tense of all verbs except bi is absent. Instead a periphrastic construction using the auxiliary bi is used along with a [[Verbal Noun (definition)|verbal noun and an aspect particle (typically [[A' (Aspect Marker. This has both imperfect and progressive meanings. The structure of these sentences is (Particles)+Auxiliary+Subject+Imperfect marker+Verbal+Object. In prescriptive grammars the object is supposed to be in the genitive case although in the spoken language (and in the written forms of most speakers), the object is in the common case
A)
Tha Iain ag ithe an t-aran Be.pres John progressive eat.vn the bread Verb Subject Prog Aspect Verbal Noun object John is eating the bread
