Editing Romansh language (section)

== Syntax ==
The syntax of Romansh has not been thoroughly investigated so far. Regular word order is [[subject–verb–object]], but [[subject-auxiliary inversion]] occurs in several cases, placing the verb at the beginning of a sentence:
* To form a question: {{lang|rm|'''Eis''' el aunc cheu?}} – "Is he still there?".
* In [[declarative sentence]]s: {{lang|rm|Damaun '''mein''' nus en vacanzas}} – "Tomorrow, we go on vacation".
* When an [[independent clause]] is placed after the [[dependent clause]]: {{lang|rm|Cura ch'el ei entraus, '''ein''' tuts stai sin peis}} – "When he entered, everyone stood up".
* As well as in other stylistic variations.

These features are in close concord with German syntax, which has likely reinforced them. However, this need not mean that they are due entirely to language contact. In fact, similar tendencies can be observed in [[Old French]].

A sentence is [[Negation (linguistics)|negated]] by adding a negative particle. In Sursilvan, this is {{lang|rm|buc}}, placed after the verb, while in other dialects such as Putèr and Vallader, it is {{lang|rm|nu}}, placed before the verb:
* Sursilvan: {{lang|rm|Jeu hai buc fatg quei}} – "I didn't do that".
* Putèr: {{lang|rm|La vschinauncha nu vegn isoleda da la naiv}} – "The village does not get cut off by snow".

A feature found only in Putèr and Vallader (as it is in Castilian Spanish) is the preposition of a direct object, when that direct object is a person or an animal, with {{lang|rm|a}}, as in {{lang|rm|test vis a Peider?}} "did you see Peter?", {{lang|rm|eau d'he mno a spass al chaun}} "I took the dog out for a walk", but {{lang|rm|hest vis la baselgia?}} "did you see the church?".