Perifrastiset

Perifrastiset is a term in linguistic typology used to describe a class of periphrastic constructions where multiple grammatical meanings—such as tense, aspect, mood, and modality—are encoded through a fixed sequence of auxiliary elements that precede the main verb. Unlike inflectional systems that attach affixes to the verb, perifrastiset constructions rely on a serial arrangement of function words, with each auxiliary contributing a specific sense. The term derives from periphrasis, with the suffix -et signaling a subset or specialized register of periphrasis; it has appeared in a small number of scholarly discussions since the early 21st century.

In typological discussions, perifrastiset constructions are considered a subtype of periphrasis characterized by fixed order and limited cross-linguistic distribution. They are contrasted with other periphrastic patterns that allow optional elements or free word order, and with synthetic inflectional systems. The analysis often treats the whole auxiliary sequence as a single verbal complex, while the main verb remains lexically light or even unanalyzable.

Critics argue that the label can obscure more than it clarifies, since many languages exhibit overlapping periphrastic and inflectional features; some prefer to describe such systems using established notions like serial verb constructions or auxiliary-verb clusters.

See also: periphrase, periphrasis, serial verb construction, auxiliary verb, grammaticalization.