Hrmitt reference grammar


5.4. Numerals & Verbs

When the subject of a verb involves a numeral, it often detaches from the verbalized noun and appears as a standalone noun phrase in the nominative. The pronominal suffix remains on the verb.

ipfutfrahtmi shtehr bufutcheŋgu.

ipf-ut-fraht-mi
eye-3pl.v-girl-v
shtehr
four
buf-ut-cheŋ-u
body-3pl-man-pat

The girls see four men.

ipfutmi hreis fraht shtehr bufutcheŋgu.

ipf-ut-mi
eye-3pl.v
hreis
three
fraht-∅
girl-nom
shtehr
four
buf-ut-cheŋ-u
body-3pl-man-pat

The three girls see four men.

If the subject is long, it may be right-dislocated to the end of the clause, instead of the usual position immediately after the verb:

tzapjakusmi shestu.

tzapjak-us-mi
feet-3pl.p-v
shest-tu
here-dat

They came here.

tzapjakusmi shestu sheŋt cheŋ he vaht fraht.

tzapjak-us-mi
feet-3pl.p-v
shest-tu
here-dat
sheŋt
seven
cheŋ-∅
man-nom
he
and
vaht
eight
fraht-∅
girl-nom

A group of people came here.