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Imperativus pro infinitivo

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Syntactic feature of a verb

Imperativus pro infinitivo (IPI) is a syntactic feature in which a verbal form superficially resembling the imperative mood is realized, instead of the expected infinitive.

The imperativus pro infinitivo is a feature of, for example, the Frisian languages.

  • North Frisian (Mooring): Ik häi änjörsne niinj lust än mååg seelew wat tu ääsen klåår.
  • Sater Frisian: Ik hiede jêrsene neen lûst on moakje selwen wet to iten kloar.
  • West Frisian: Ik hie juster gjin nocht en meitsje sels wat te iten klear.

The sentences read in English: 'Yesterday I did not feel like making dinner myself'.

Further reading

References

  1. Meer, Geart van der (1989-01-01). "The So-Called Imperativus Pro Infinitivo (IPI) in West Frisian: (On the Interplay of Syntax, Semantics and Morphology)". NOWELE. North-Western European Language Evolution. 13 (1): 49–85. doi:10.1075/nowele.13.06mee. ISSN 0108-8416.
  2. "SAND Volume II – Commentary – 2. Verbal cluster: interruption and morphosyntax". sand.meertens.knaw.nl. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
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