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Chapter 7. Two infinitives

‘prate’ and ‘praten’
  • Germen J. de Haan
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Studies in West Frisian Grammar
This chapter is in the book Studies in West Frisian Grammar

Abstract

The grammar of Frisian contains two morphologically different infinitives, INFe and INFn. In this paper, we discuss and compare syntactic properties of (constructions with) INFe and INFn. We illustrate that both infinitives can be part of a verbal complex. Traditionally it is assumed that only INFn can be head of phrases that have nominal function. Here we show that phrases with INFe also can be nominal. We study external syntactic properties of nominal INFe. In addition, we compare internal syntactic properties of nominal INFe and INFn. The internal structure of INFe turns out to be similar to verb phrases and that of INFn to noun phrases.

Abstract

The grammar of Frisian contains two morphologically different infinitives, INFe and INFn. In this paper, we discuss and compare syntactic properties of (constructions with) INFe and INFn. We illustrate that both infinitives can be part of a verbal complex. Traditionally it is assumed that only INFn can be head of phrases that have nominal function. Here we show that phrases with INFe also can be nominal. We study external syntactic properties of nominal INFe. In addition, we compare internal syntactic properties of nominal INFe and INFn. The internal structure of INFe turns out to be similar to verb phrases and that of INFn to noun phrases.

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