Lesson 8: Syntax: simple and compound sentences; sentence structure

The syntax (sentence structure) in Pacarian is in most cases like in French, but easier. The content of this lesson is taken from "Grammatique Pacariane". It 'll be quite difficult for non-Romance language speakers. For French-speakers this is a piece of cake. Don't skip this lesson however, for the vocabulary (prepositions 'n' stuff)!

The order of words is almost completely the same as in French. The best way to get used to it is to speak Pacarian very often.

The subject and the verb are identically equal to eachother in person.

In a passive tense, the past participle is similar to the subject. Not in a perfect tense.

When the subject exists of two parts that are equal, the following rules are used to conjugate the verb:

-        ye + other person(s) => nos

-        te + other person(s) => vos

-        il + other person(s) => Illes

The first rule precedes the second, the second precedes the third.

for example:

 ye e te, nos allemos…?

te e il, vos alletes…?

Il e illes, illes allen…?

The nominal predicate is identically equal to the subject. fe. Illes esten fatigues.

The apposition is always between two punctuation marks. (two commas, a comma and a point / exclamation mark / question mark)

for example: Le animale, une creature grande,…

The adjunct of state is identically equal to the part of the sentence it is related to when it is an adjective.

The indirect object is sometimes preceded by the preposition "a"(to). fe. Te le donnes a mi?

An infinitive can sometimes be used as subject.

fe. coryer estes fatiguante.

The subordinate clause of condition is introduced by the conjunction si = if,… .

fe. Il alles le fayer si ye le dye.

- The subordinate clause of comparison is introduced by the adverb com = like,… .

 fe. Illes esten tos com les otres.

- The subordinate clause of time is introduced by:

-        apre (que)= after

-        a le tempo que = when

-        yusque a ce que = until

-        avante (que) = before

fe. ye alle le fayer apre que ye ave faye une otre case.

- The subordinate clause of reason is introduced by par le case que = because

fe. ye ave pas le faye par ce que ye penseva que ce estevas tro dangerose.

- The subordinate clause of admission is introduced by portante que = although

fe. ye ave pas le faye portante que ye penseva pas que ce estevas tro dangerose.

- The subordinate clause of objective is introduced by por = to

fe.Ce estes por ce fayer rapidiore.

- The subordinate clause of consequence is introduced by ansi que = so (that)

fe. ye alle le fayer presente ansi que ye deve pas le fayer une otre tempe.

- The indirect question is introduced by an interrogative pronoun

fe. Ye demandeva por que illes aven le faye.

- The relative subordinate clause is introduced by a relative pronoun.

fe. Ce estes le case que ye pove pas resolver.

The mostly used order of words is the following:

subject / verb / object / indirect object / adverbial adjuncts

fe. ye dye ce a ti presente.

 The structure of sentences is almost completely like in French. The best way to get used to it, is to practice Pacarian a lot.

 You should understand Pacarian texts when reading them. By doing this, you will be able to form Pacarian sentences yourself after some time.

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