Neha Patil (Editor)

Imperativus Pro Infinitivo

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit

Imperativus Pro Infinitivo (IPI) is a syntactical feature in which a verbal form superficially resembling the imperative is realized, instead of the expected infinitive.

The Imperativus Pro Infinitivo is a remarkable 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(erlauwer) Frisian: Ik hie juster gjin nocht en meitsje sels wat te iten klear.

    • The sentences reads in English "Yesterday I did not feel like making dinner myself".

    References

    Imperativus Pro Infinitivo Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA