Imperativus pro infinitivo

Imperativus pro infinitivo (IPI) is a syntactic feature in which a verbal form superficially resembling the imperative mood is realized, instead of the expected infinitive.

The imperativus pro infinitivo is a 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 Frisian: Ik hie juster gjin nocht en meitsje sels wat te iten klear.

The sentences read in English: 'Yesterday I did not feel like making dinner myself'.

Further reading

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  • Hoekema, Teake B. (1971). "Sentences with imperativus pro infinitivo". Us Wurk. 20 (1–4): 61–74. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  • Hoekema, Teake B. (1975). "Sentences with imperativus pro infinitivo II". Us Wurk. 24 (1–4): 35–48. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  • van der Meer, Geart (1975). "The imperativus pro infinitivo reconsidered". Us Wurk. 24 (1–4): 19–34. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  • van der Meer, Geart (1989). "The so-called imperativus pro infinitivo (IPI) in West Frisian: On the interplay of syntax, semantics and morphology". NOWELE. 13: 49–85. Retrieved 30 July 2024.