finitivse

Finitivse is a proposed grammatical category used in linguistic theory to flag the finiteness of a verb form. In this framework, finitive forms are those that mark a clause as finite, typically carrying information about tense, mood, person, and number, and enabling the verb to function as the main predicate in a clause. The term is not standard in the grammars of most natural languages and is primarily encountered in typological discussions and in discussions of constructed (con)languages.

Etymology and conceptually related ideas: Finitivse draws its name from the adjective finite and is often described as a binary feature distinguishing [+finite] from [-finite] forms. It is used to unify analyses of finite versus nonfinite verb forms (such as infinitives and participles) across different languages or constructed systems, rather than to replace existing terminology in well-established grammars.

Morphology and syntax: Realizations of finitivse can be diverse. In some imagined languages, a finite form may be created by a prefix, suffix, or separate auxiliary that attaches to the verb stem and agrees with subject person and number. In others, finitivity is a syntactic feature requiring the verb to appear in a matrix clause. Nonfinite forms, lacking the finitive marker, typically occur in subordinate clauses or as nonfinite clauses like infinitives or participles.

Examples and usage: In a hypothetical language X, the finite form fi-luma expresses “I go,” while the nonfinite luma means “to go.” In language Y, a suffix -ive on the stem marks finitude. The concept is used mainly for theoretical discussion and in the design of conlangs.

See also: Finite verb, Nonfinite verb, Tense-mood-aspect systems.