verbsubjektobjekt

Verbsubjektobjekt, commonly abbreviated VSO, is a linguistic term describing a canonical sentence order in which the verb comes first in the predicate, followed by the subject and then the object. The order is often written as V-S-O in grammars. It is one of the six basic word orders used in typology to categorize languages worldwide (the others being SVO, SOV, VOS, OVS, and OSV).

VSO languages are found in diverse language families and regions, including Classical Arabic, Tagalog, Irish, Welsh, and several Oceanic languages. In many such languages the finite verb typically occupies the first position of the clause, with the subject and object following. However, surface order can shift for questions, focus, or topicalization. Morphology often assigns tense, aspect, and mood on the verb, while the subject and object may be marked by case, prepositions, or topic particles. Some VSO languages also show initial particles or mutations that interact with the verb, especially in Celtic languages, but the basic order remains verb-first in declarative main clauses.

Examples illustrating the VSO pattern include Tagalog: Kumain si Juan ng mansanas; Arabic (classical): akala al-waladu tuffāḥatan; Irish: ith an buachaill úll; Welsh: bwytodd y bachgen afal. These sentences display the verb preceding the subject and object, which characterizes the canonical VSO word order. VSO is a major, cross-lamilled word order type in linguistic typology.