Konverbit

Konverbit is a term used in linguistic literature to denote converbal verb forms, also known as converbs. These are non-finite verb forms that function to connect clauses and express adverbial relations such as time, manner, cause, or sequence without relying on conjunctions or auxiliary verbs. The exact form and function of konverbit are language-specific, but they broadly serve to compress complex sentence relations into a single clause.

In languages with converbal systems, konverbit typically attach to the main verb or form a distinct non-finite clause that shares participants with the main clause. They allow speakers to indicate simultaneous or sequential actions, background conditions, or reasons, while maintaining a compact sentence structure. Morphology and syntax of konverbit vary widely: some languages use suffixal or participial forms, while others employ separate constructions that behave like adverbial clauses.

Typologically, converbs have been documented across several language families, including Turkic, Caucasian, and Uralic languages, as well as in other regions where non-finite adverbial clauses play a role in grammar. The concept is central to studies of non-finite clauses and clausal packing, and it intersects with broader discussions of how languages encode temporal and causal relations within a single verbal spine.

In Estonian-language sources, konverbit or konverbid are common terms for these forms; in other languages, the English term converb or converbal clause is used. The exact realization of konverbit is language-specific and subject to ongoing typological description.