supinumparticipform

Supinumparticipform is a proposed linguistic category describing a nonfinite verb form that fuses supine semantics with participial morphology. The term appears mainly in theoretical discussions of morphology and in some conlang literature; it is not part of standard grammars.

Formation and structure: In languages that employ a supine as a nonfinite form and also have productive participial affixes, a supinumparticipform would be built by attaching participial morphology to a supine stem. The resulting form is nonfinite and can function either nominally or adjectivally, and it may bear case or agreement markers depending on the language. It is discussed as potentially encoding purpose, result, or aspect, depending on analytic tradition.

Functions and usage: The supinumparticipform can express purpose or intention (for example, a wish to act) or act as a predicative modifier indicating a result or aspect. Its attributive use may modify nouns or noun phrases, in some respects comparable to gerunds or participial adjectives in other languages, but with a distinct morphological shape and distribution.

Relation to related concepts: The SNPF relates to supine forms, participles, nonfinite verbs, gerunds, and infinitives. In cross-linguistic typology, it is considered a hypothetical subcategory of nonfinite verbal forms; in construction grammars or conlangs, it may be described as a compact device for bundling purpose and modification into a single form.

Notes: The term is primarily theoretical and not widely attested in conventional grammars. See also: supine, participle, nonfinite verb, gerund, infinitive.