Viwdiwgu syntax

Main article: Viwdiwgu

This page gives an extensive description of Viwdiwgu syntactical features.

Main clause and word order

Viwdiwgu is an almost strictly SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) language.

vīru līlužɛc suvɛ 
the man sees the dog

Despite the limited case system, the word order is essentially fixed because of the lacking distinction between the subject and the direct object. The only word order with a clear role and a frequent usage is VSO (Verb-Subject-Object), which marks interrogative clauses, namely simple questions.

līlužɛc vīru suvɛ?
does the man see the dog?

The other elements in the sentence are usually placed in the order “time-cause-manner-place”, although they are basically freer than the main elements, as they are conveyed by the case system or by the prepositions. These elements can be emphasized by placing them at the beginning of the sentence.

The indirect object tends to be placed after the direct object of the sentence. However, if both direct and indirect objects are used in pronominal form, they can be placed quite freely in both possible orders.

A peculiar feature is the verbal infinitival agreement: when infinitival forms, as nominal forms of the verbs, take a direct object, are regarded as an expression of belonging, and the direct object is declined in the genitive case.

hīzū līlužiwgɛ suvɛrɛ
I do not see the dog