Verbsubjectobject

Verbsubjectobject, in linguistic usage, denotes a verb-initial word order in which the verb typically precedes both the subject and the object. The more standard label for this configuration is VSO, or verb-initial, with the basic pattern often described as verb–subject–object (V–S–O). The term verbsubjectobject serves as a descriptive label in some descriptions but is less common in formal typology.

In languages that exhibit verb-initial order, the verb frequently carries much of the grammatical information about the action, such as tense, mood, and agreement with the subject. Noun phrases that follow the verb may be marked for case or may rely on pronouns and clitics to indicate their grammatical roles. Because of rich morphology in many VSO languages, the relative order of subject and object can be somewhat flexible, and additional cues through case marking, clitics, or agreement help disambiguate meaning.

Variation and discourse effects: Some VSO languages show shifts toward SVO in constrained contexts, such as questions, topics, or focus constructions. Other languages maintain a stable VSO order across discourse, using markers or syntax to signal emphasis rather than changing core word order.

Distribution and examples: VSO is documented across multiple language families, including Classical Arabic and several Semitic languages, as well as certain Insular Celtic languages in historical or descriptive accounts. It also appears in various African, Amerindian, and creole languages. Typological studies of VSO contribute to broader questions about how morphological richness and syntactic order interact to encode meaning.

See also: word order, SVO, SOV, VSO languages.