In an action nominal construction, a nominal[1] that is derived from a verb and expresses an action (such as running or reading) appears with the original arguments of the verb. Rather than displaying a new structure unique to action nominals, these constructions show features of verbs and nouns (particularly possessive structures). This parameter considers the classification of languages based on the syntactic treatment of S, A, and P[2] as verbal arguments of an action nominal.
Types:
NoNact: The language does not have action nominals.
SAP=Vtype: The construction resembles that of a sentence, with the verb becoming a noun, while S, A, and P retain their structure.
SAP=Poss: The construction is of the double-possessive type. The verb becomes a noun, while the three types of arguments appear as its possessors.
SAPossPVtype: The construction is of the possessive–accusative type. The verb becomes a noun, with S and A treated as its possessors and P retaining its accusative position.
SPPossAVtype: The construction is of the possessive–oblique type. The verb becomes a noun, with S and P treated as its possessors and A retaining or receiving oblique case.[3]
PossExcl: The construction is of the restricted type. The verb becomes a noun, with only one of its original arguments, treated as its possessor, allowed to appear with it at a time.
ExclCopd: The construction is of the incorporating type. The verb becomes a noun, with only one of its arguments allowed to appear with it as its possessor and the other required to form a compound word with the action nominal if it is to appear at all.[4]
Else: The language uses a strategy not listed above.
When a language displays more than one type, multiple values can be listed. If one type is dominant, a slash (/) can separate the values, with the dominant value appearing first; if neither is dominant, the two are listed with an ampersand (&) separating the two.[5]
[1] Nominals should not be confused with non-nominal word classes that are also derived from verbs, such as infinitives, gerunds, and participles.
[2] S is the argument of a monovalent intransitive verb expressing agentive action. (In nominative languages, this is called the subject.) A is the argument and agent of a divalent transitive verb that expresses agentive action. (In nominative languages, this is also called the subject.) P is the argument and patient of a divalent transitive verb expressing agentive action. (In nominative languages, this is called the object.)
[3] The oblique case used is often the same as that marking the agent in a non-active construction.
[4] Consider the Hungarian examples Péter értelmezése (‘Peter’s interpretation’), a vers értelmezése (‘interpretation of the poem’), and Péter versértelmezése (‘Peter’s poem-interpretation’). It should be noted in the commentary which of S, A, and P are allowed to become part of a compound word in this type of structure. In Hungarian, for example, A is restricted from this role.
[5] If this occurs, it should be noted in the commentary. Utilizing three strategies with its action nominals, English can be described as SAPossPVtype&SPPossAVtype&SAP=Poss. These possibilities are evidenced by the following examples: Peter’s singing the song, the destruction of the city by the enemy, and the enemy’s destruction of the city.