Applicativelike
Applicativelike refers to a class of constructions in natural language that resemble applicatives in their effect on the valency of a verb, but do not necessarily meet formal criteria for a language’s canonical applicative construction. In applicativelike structures, a semantic role such as beneficiary, instrument, or goal is expressed by modifying the argument structure or by using a morphosyntactic device that introduces or highlights an extra participant in a way that mimics the applicative’s function, without producing a standard applicative alignment across the language.
Syntactic realization can vary: some languages employ a dedicated applicative affix or clitic attached to the
Typical applicativelike functions include benefactive (for someone), instrumental (with an instrument), and goal or locative roles.
In relation to true applicatives, applicativelike constructions may lack a unified, language-internal morphology or a dedicated