A Pattern for Intransitive Verbs
Shiga, sauka and yarda illustrate Grade 3.
How It Works
Canonical Grade 3 has low–high tone in two syllables and low–high–low in three, with short final -a. Grade 2 has a similar citation melody but long final -a and transitive use. Ordinary Boko conceals the vowel-length contrast.
Grade 3 lacks direct-object B and C forms. In shiga ɗaki ‘enter a room’, ɗaki supplies a destination. Its position after the verb does not establish direct-object status. Other complements depend on the particular verb; indirect-object contexts require lexical checking.
Compare sun shiga ‘they entered’ with za su shiga ‘they will enter’. Subject marking changes the action frame. High–high short-a intransitives such as ɓuya form a recognized related subgroup.
Examples (3)
- Baƙi sun shiga ɗaki.
The guests entered a room.
Ɗaki supplies the destination.
- Mun sauka a Kano.
We got off in Kano.
Sauka has no direct object here.
- Hauwa ta yarda.
Hauwa agreed.
Yarda is intransitive.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Compare the established grade inventory and movement endpoints before learning intransitive Grade3 forms; a destination need not be an object.
- Verb Grades and Meaning
Compare the established grade inventory and movement endpoints before learning intransitive Grade3 forms; a destination need not be an object.
Level 3 - daga / zuwaFrom and Toward
Compare the established grade inventory and movement endpoints before learning intransitive Grade3 forms; a destination need not be an object.
Level 2
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice A Pattern for Intransitive Verbs in Bubblegum
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