inchoative
9.9
A verb form that shows the start of an action
- noun
- /ɪnˈkoʊətɪv/
- Specialized
:
inchoativo
- In grammar class, we learned that an inchoative verb shows the onset of a particular state, like "to begin".
Examples
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Understanding the inchoative aspect of verbs helps us identify when an action is starting, rather than continuing.
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The linguist explained that the term inchoative describes verbs that indicate the beginning of an action.
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Note that the third person singular of the inchoative has a palatal s, as in create (<crescit), vorbeste, etc., whereas the substantive verb este does not.
Academic text (1994)
Antonyms
Compounds
Surface Forms
inchoative singular
inchoatives plural
Etymology
Inchoative in grammar comes from the Latin inchoare, 'to begin', and it names verbs that show the start of an action. So an inchoative verb expresses 'beginning', like 'to bloom' when it means 'to begin to bloom'.
