Imperativus pro infinitivo

Imperativus pro infinitivo 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. ^{[1] [2]}

• 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'.

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.

Further reading

• Hoekema, Teake B. (1971). "Sentences with imperativus pro infinitivo". Us Wurk. 20 (1–4): 61–74. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
• Hoekema, Teake B. (1975). "Sentences with imperativus pro infinitivo II". Us Wurk. 24 (1–4): 35–48. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
• van der Meer, Geart (1975). "The imperativus pro infinitivo reconsidered". Us Wurk. 24 (1–4): 19–34. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
• van der Meer, Geart (1989). "The so-called imperativus pro infinitivo (IPI) in West Frisian: On the interplay of syntax, semantics and morphology" . NOWELE. 13: 49–85. doi:10.1075/nowele.13.06mee . Retrieved 30 July 2024.