Word order of purposive constructions (Hungarian)

PCV: The purpose complement generally precedes the main event.

VPC: The purpose complement generally follows the main event.


(1) flóra el-men-t az állatkert-be meg-néz-ni a lajhár-t.

Flóra pref-go-pst.3sg the zoo-ill pref-see-inf the sloth-acc

’Flóra went to the zoo in order to see the sloth.’


(2) flóra lajhár-t néz-ni men-t az állatkert-be.

Flóra sloth-acc see-inf go-pst.3sg the zoo-ill

’Flóra went to the zoo in order to see the sloth.’


(3) flóra azért men-t az állatkert-be, hogy meg-néz-ze a lajhár-t.

Flóra thus go-pst.3sg the zoo-ill that pref-see-imp.obj.3sg the sloth-acc

’Flóra went to the zoo in order to see the sloth.’


(4) hogy meg-néz-ze a lajhár-t flóra el-men-t az állatkert-be.

hogy pref-see-imp.obj.3sg the sloth-acc Flóra pref-go-pst.3sg the zoo-ill

’In order to see the sloth, Flóra went to the zoo.’


In Hungarian, purpose relations can be expressed by non-finite constructions (1)-(2) and subordinations (3)-(4). In the latter case, the verb is in its imperative form, and the optional connective element and a conjunction in the subordinate clause express the purpose relation. The purpose can precede or follow the main event in both construction types (cf. Kenesei et al. 1998: 50‒51, Hadrovics 1969: 343‒344, 350‒352, Lengyel 2000e: 228‒229, Haader 2000a: 502‒503).

Author: 

Nikolett F. Gulyás