Literary Word Order
Literary word order moves the verb or another word to the front for a special effect.
How It Works
Bosnian word order is flexible, because the endings show who does what. Everyday speech usually follows subject, verb, object. Literary prose plays with the order for effect.
| Plain | Literary |
|---|---|
| Komšija mi kaže. | Kaže mi komšija. |
| Majka pita Amira. | Pita majka Amira. |
| Miljacka teče tiho. | Tiho teče Miljacka. |
Beginning with the verb gives a storytelling voice. Putting an adverb or adjective first makes it stand out. Clitics such as mi, ga, se are usually still in the second position, so they can move with the first word.
This is a skill for reading, not for everyday talk. If you write the same way in a message, it sounds like a book.
Examples (5)
- Pita majka Amira šta radi.
Mother asks Amir what he is doing.
The verb opens the sentence.
- Kaže mi komšija da dolazi.
The neighbour tells me he is coming.
Clitic mi after the verb.
- Tiho teče Miljacka kroz grad.
The Miljacka flows quietly through the city.
The adverb comes first.
- Ode otac na posao, a djeca ostadoše kod kuće.
Father went to work, and the children stayed at home.
Verb first, with aorist forms.
- Pod starom lipom sjedi baba Hana.
Under the old linden sits Grandma Hana.
A place phrase leads.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Literary word order.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Literary Word Order in Bubblegum
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