Parapassive constructions (Parapass) are generally limited to nominative languages that use the standard passive.[1] A type of impersonal structure, the parapassive displays identical verbal morphology to that of the passive, with the only difference in its structure that it is derived from an intransitive verb rather than a transitive verb.[2]

Types:

NoParapass: The language does not have parapassive constructions.[3]

MonoParapassAkt: In a monoparapassive structure (noun + passive verb form derived from an intransitive verb), the noun is treated identically to the agent in an equivalent active construction.

MonoParapassPass: In a monoparapassive structure (noun + passive verb form derived from an intransitive verb), the noun is treated identically to the agent in an equivalent passive construction.[4]

DiParapassPass: In a diparapassive structure (two nouns + passive verb form derived from an intransitive verb), the agent (the “additional noun”, marking the causer of the event) is treated identically to the agent in an equivalent passive construction.[5]

DiParapassElse: In a diparapassive structure (two nouns + passive verb form derived from an intransitive verb), the agent (the “additional noun”, marking the causer of the event) is treated differently than the agent in an equivalent passive construction.[6]

With the exception of the value NoParapass, two values may be listed for a language. If one type is dominant (appearing in more tenses, aspects, and moods), 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.

[1] See the parameter Verbal morphology of the passive.

[2] Compare to the antipassive, which requires a transitive verb and is found in ergative languages. The parapassive should also not be confused with the pseudopassive. In English, pseudopassive constructions can be formed from both transitive and intransitive verbs.

[3] If a language has the value NoPass in the parameter Verbal morphology of the passive, the same value automatically applies here. This value may also apply to languages that use the passive, but lack the parapassive.

[4] Not to be confused with the subject of the passive equivalent, which is not the agent, but the patient.

[5] This should be detailed in the commentary, with examples of how the agent of the intransitive verb (“the first noun”) is marked.

[6] This should be detailed in the commentary, with examples of how the agent of the intransitive verb (“the first noun”) is marked.