verbfinal

Verb-final is a linguistic term used to describe languages in which the finite verb typically appears at the end of the clause. It is closely associated with verb-final or postverbal word orders, and by extension with many SOV (subject–object–verb) languages. However, the label does not imply absolute rigidity: some verb-final languages permit variation in word order under focus, question formation, or subordination.

In a verb-final language, elements such as the subject, object, and modifiers usually precede the verb. Case marking or postpositions often accompany nouns, helping to indicate grammatical roles without relying on word order. Subordinate clauses and relative clauses are commonly positioned before the main verb, so the final element of a sentence is the finite verb or its auxiliary.

Examples widely cited include Japanese, Korean, and Turkish. In Japanese: Watashi wa ringo o taberu. In Turkish: Elmayı yedim. In Korean: 나는 밥을 먹었다 (Naneun bap-eul meogeossda). These sentences place the finite verb at the end of the clause, with other elements preceding it.

The term is a descriptive label used in typology and grammars and does not prescribe a single, uniform structure across all contexts. Many verb-final languages are SOV, but there is variation in how rigidly the verb remains final, especially in complex or focused constructions. Morphology often accompanies verb-final systems, with postpositions and case markers supporting grammatical relations. Researchers frequently use verb-final as a shorthand for a cluster of related features found in several language families.