Ch 26 · Lesson 10Esperanto · Chapter 26 · Lesson 10 · Grammar primer
Pri- verbs: pripensi, priskribi, pridemandi
Pri- moves the preposition into the verb and makes the topic the object: , . And the meaning shifts: is to think it over.
The short version
Pri- moves the preposition into the verb
.
Why?Hide
in front of a verb and the topic becomes a direct object with -n: becomes . Once is inside the verb it cannot stand in front of the noun too, so never .
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Why?Hide
A pri- verb is a word of its own. is to think about something, perhaps in passing; is to think it over properly. has drifted furthest: it simply means to describe, and is to question closely.
Put pri in front of a verb and the topic becomes a direct object: becomes . The preposition moves into the verb, the topic takes -n, and the meaning shifts: is to think something over. Learn each pri- verb as a word of its own.
| Two-word form | Pri- verb | English |
|---|---|---|
| | think over the proposal |
| | describe the house |
| | say nothing about the matter |
| prizorgi | look after the children |
How pri- works
PMEG states the rule in three sentences:
prefikseca . senobjektan , . - -komplementon .
Prefixed creates verbs that take an object. Normally the object is what used to follow . PMEG's two examples:
takes no object at all, so - gives it one. already takes an object, the thoughts themselves: ? - What do you think? takes a different one, the topic of the thinking.
The shape is the point: once is inside the verb, it cannot also stand in front of the noun.
.- I am thinking the problem over.
Not synonyms
The two-word form and the - verb are not the same word twice. The - verb is more deliberate, more thorough, or has drifted to a meaning of its own:
| Pri- verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| pripensi | to think over | . |
| priskribi | to describe | . |
| pridemandi | to question closely | . |
| prilabori | to work over, process | . |
Compare the pairs:
.- I will think your proposal over: a real decision is coming..- I will think about your proposal: it will cross my mind..- He is working on the text..- He worked the text over: edited it thoroughly.
has drifted furthest. Nobody hears "write about" in it: you can describe a house aloud.
Pri- that only moves the roles
In some traditional verbs, PMEG notes, keeps none of its own meaning. It only changes which participant is the object:
| Verb | Plain | With pri- |
|---|---|---|
. | . | |
. | . | |
. | . |
- They stole money from the people; they robbed the people.
- The moon shone into the room; the moon lit up the room.
- They looked for weapons on him; they searched him.
A few more gain a new meaning altogether: is to give an opinion of something. Prirespondi, to be answerable for, is now usually . Neither is a or with an object.
Going further: Mistakes English speakers make and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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