Word Order
to see a definition of the term syntax see Syntax (definition)
Contents
Basic Word Order
Neutral Indicative Clauses
Transitive Verbs
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, such as the use of the auxiliary construction in the present tense, VSO order is primarily true only in past tense and future tense clauses.
(1)
Phòg Muirgheal Pòl kiss.past Muriel Paul verb subject object Muriel kissed Paul
Intransitive Verbs
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 is 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 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, 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 and an aspect particle (typically A. 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
In Perfect, Recent Perfect, Prospective clauses
In Statives
In passives
Word order in Embedded Clauses
Word order in finite Embedded Clauses
Word order in non-finite Embedded Clauses
Word order in Relative Clauses
Word order in Clefts
Word order in Wh-Questions
Wh-phrase + question particle + Verb + rest of sentence
The question particle is often omitted if it follows a question ending in a vowel. The form of the question particle and the verb is dependent upon which wh-word is being used.
G)
| Ciamar | a | tha | thu? |
| how | wh-direct | be.pres | you |
| wh-phrase | particle | Verb | rest of sentence |
| How are you | |||
H)
| Dè | an | aois | a | tha | thu? |
| what | the | age | wh-direct | be.pres | you |
| wh-phrase | particle | Verb | rest of sentence | ||
| How old are you | |||||
Word Order in Noun Phrases
Article + Noun + Adjectives + Prepositional phrases
- boat: bàta
- the boat: am bàta
- the big boat am bàta mòr
- The big boat in the sea am bàta mòr anns a' mhuir
Possessors in the genitive follow the possessed NP:
Possessed + Article + Possessor(gen)
- leabhar an duine
