Preverbal Auxiliary verb Head verb

42

3.3.2.4 Verb phrase

The verb phrase, according to Phillips 1973b:130, consists of a Preverbal + Auxiliary verb + Head verb + Postverbal. The order of constituents in the verb phrase, including the object, is shown in 45 and discussed in the following sections: 45 VP — Preverbal Auxiliary verb V NP[Obj] Postverbal

3.3.2.4.1 Preverbal

Preverbals include negators ‘not’, L ‘not’, ‘not yet’, ‘don’t’, ‘forbid’ and the reciprocal preverbal ‘RECP’. Preverbals do not occur without a verb. 46 K + NEG have NMLZ worry NEG ‘I do not have any worries.’ [Cow 21] 47 + K after that RECP argue very.much ‘After that the two sisters argued with each other.’ [Fish 52]

3.3.2.4.2 Auxiliary verb

Auxiliary verbs precede and modify a verb. They are distinguished from preverbals in that auxiliaries are negatable. Phillips 1973b gives a list of auxiliary verbs which is adapted in Table 12. Most may occur alone as an independent word. Their meaning as an auxiliary is related, but not identical to their meaning as an independent word. 43 Table 12: Auxiliary verbs Bunong Word English gloss as an auxiliary verb English gloss as a single word ever meet + continue, still remain + accomplished have, EXIST remaining in a state or act be at; sit in the process of going move, lead, bring can, be able to win repeat return dare brave about to want do helpfully treat with medicine + recently new completed, finished all customarily, typically, ever ---- on time ---- cause give, put The auxiliary verb precedes the main verb. 48 + sib.young completed die ‘Younger sister is completely dead.’ [Fish 363] A preverbal, e.g. , may precede the auxiliary verb. 49 + + + + + 2S.M don’t still think about 1S NEG ‘Don’t keep thinking about me’ [IS14.089]

3.3.2.4.3 Head verb

The head of the verb phrase can be a single verb or a serial verb construction which is often a sequence of events expressed as several head verbs. 50 K K roast cook eat really ‘They really roasted, cooked, and ate the fish.’ [Fish 300] Verbs can be intransitive or transitive as illustrated in §3.3.3. 44

3.3.2.4.4 Postverbals