Verbs
2 min read · 323 words
Verbs always end in -u in their present form.
The tenses are three: present, future and past.
There is also a conjunctive form, similar to Japanese's te-form, or infinitive, which is used with auxiliaries or concatenated with other verbs.
Conjunctive
The conjunctive is a versatile tense that can be used for:
conjunction (temporal coordination);
when used with auxiliary and servile verbs;
In particular, regarding coordinated clauses:
conjuctive on its own = marked clause takes place after the unmarked clause
conjuctive with "zul" (behind) = marked clause takes place before
conjuctive with "mi" (in) = marked clause clause takes place at the same time
Evidence
Verb conjugation is based on degree of evidence:
x | Positive | Potential | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
Direct | action definitely happened | action may have happened | action definitely did not happen |
Indirect | action happened, but there is no direct confirmation | action may have happened according to rumors or reported speech | action did not happen, but there is no direct confirmation |
Non-finite form
The non-finite form turns verbs into adjectives, so they can be used with nouns.
In fact, most adjectives in Calutan are, in fact, intransitive verbs ("to be X") e.g. "nolau" (to be strong) -> "nolava" (strong).
In the (direct positive) present, for vowel stem, the non-finite is formed by replacing "-u" with "-va", and in all other cases by adding "-n" in the end.
e.g. "nolava cija" ("strong son") vs. "nolau cija" ("[my] son is strong")
Paradigm
Copular clauses
e.g. "X is Y"
Copular clauses at the present tense often omit the copula.
Nouns that would go after the copula in English take the instrumental.
Constructs with potential
"zamol" + potential = "should" before the verb
e.g. "zamol daciv macudacuþ" = [I] should do homework
"zamol dacösqe macudacuþ" = [I am] told [I] should do homework
Passive & Ternary verbs
The passive form is formed with "coru" auxiliary + conjunctive, followed by the subject, "moi" + the agent in genitive case.
e.g. "corla xaraei tuv moi Gui" = the dirt was tilled by Gu