Aelatha/Syntax

Sentence structure
Despite its many cases, Aelatha's word order is most often uncangeable. The meaning of the sentence is often dependent upon the order of the words.

Modifier order
Nouns taking the semblative case are modifiers. Modifiers are placed before teh word they modify unless that word is in one of the possessed cases. In such a case the modifier is placed at the end of the genitive phrase. genitive nouns receive modifiers at the head, alike other nouns.

Clause order
In Aelatha, an independent clause is defined as the sentence's main clause or as any phrase, incomplete or complete, that contains a vocative noun. Dependent clauses are clauses that do not have a vocative noun or those that have a vocative noun but are working to further modify the main clause (such as a clause that is functioning to supply the indirect object of the main verb).

Prepositional phrases and modals are considered dependent clauses in Aelatha. Dependent clauses are placed at the head of a sentence, independent clause containg the topical time marker are placed in second position, followed by any other independent clauses. The time distinction, coming after the tempus, is treated like a modifier as part of the verbal phrase.

Independent clauses are separated by the placement of a semicolon bafter then and dependent clauses by the use of a comma. The manner and place distinctions are grouped with the prepositional phrase and the three together form one dependent clause.


 * (EXAMPLE NEEDED) I did not see the culprit; I saw the victim.