Following a Simple Statement

Level 1

Noun phrases can appear before or after the predicate. Case, agreement and focus help identify their roles.

How It Works

In the simple verbal clauses taught here, the particle phrase precedes the verb phrase. Noun phrases may appear before these phrases, between them or afterward. A verb near the end is common, but Somali does not impose one universal subject–object–verb sequence.

Within noun phrases, the head comes first, determiners attach to it and modifiers follow. Within predicates, object pronouns and prepositions precede the verb in a prescribed sequence. Prepositions normally belong to the predicate rather than stand before their associated noun.

The Nimco examples change subject placement without changing the event. The teacher pair changes focus: macallinku is an unfocused subject with full agreement; macallinka ayaa focuses the subject and selects reduced akhrinaya. Focus affects case and agreement as well as information emphasis.

Examples (4)

  1. Nimco way carartay.

    Nimco fled.

    Subject before predicate.

  2. Way carartay Nimco.

    Nimco fled.

    Subject after predicate.

  3. Macallinku buugga wuu akhrinayaa.

    The teacher is reading the book.

    Subject marking and agreement identify the actor.

  4. Macallinka ayaa buugga akhrinaya.

    It is the teacher who is reading the book.

    Subject focus selects unmarked case and reduced agreement.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Following a Simple StatementLevel 1

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