Applicative constructions are transitive constructions in which the number of object arguments is one greater than in a basic construction, and an affix (applicative marker) appears on the verbal predicate with the only purpose of marking the construction as applicative.[1] The verb from which the applicative is formed (ie. that of the basic construction) is called the base. In some languages, multiple applicative markers exist, sometimes appearing simultaneously. The additional argument of an applicative construction is known as an applied object, while the object of a non-applicative transitive construction is known as a basic object.

A basic construction can contain either a transitive or intransitive verb. Semantically, the applied object can have an exclusively beneficiary function, beneficiary and other functions, or exclusively non-beneficiary functions. Non-beneficiary can include the instrumental and/or locative functions, as well as possession, adverbials of time and manner, the comitative, and substitutional function (acting instead of or in the name of someone).

Languages differ in the syntactic restrictions on basic objects and applied objects.[2]

Types:

NoAppl: The language does not have applicative constructions.

ApplV: The base of an applicative construction can be either transitive or intransitive.

ApplVintr: The base of an applicative construction is always intransitive.

ApplVtr: The base of an applicative construction is always transitive.

Bfct: The applied object of an applicative construction can only express beneficiary.

BfctNonBfct: The applied object of an applicative construction can express beneficiary and other functions.[3]

NonBfct: The applied object of an applicative construction can only express non-beneficiary functions.[4]

When a language displays more than one type, multiple values can be listed (with the exception of NoAppl). If one type is dominant, a slash (/) can separate the two values, with the dominant value appearing first; if neither is dominant, they are listed with an ampersand (&) separating the two.[5]

[1] When a basic construction takes on an additional object, this new construction does not, however, constitute an applicative construction, if no morphological marking appears on the predicate to identify the construction as such. Furthermore, applicative markers should not be confused with morphemes marking agreement with the additional object. Unlike applicative markers which only mark applicativity, affixes marking agreement may also express additional syntactic or semantic information about the new object.

[2] In some applicative languages, neither basic nor applied objects require restrictions on agreement, coreferential deletion, or the use of passive, relative, or reflexive constructions. These languages are known as symmetrical. In a language that is asymmetrical, these syntactic phenomena can occur only with either basic objects or applied objects, but not both. This type of classification should be included in the commentary.

[3] The functions should be detailed in the commentary.

[4] The functions should be detailed in the commentary.

[5] For example, the value ApplVtr&Bfct describes a language in which applicative constructions are always formed from transitive verbs and applied objects always express a beneficiary function.