Editing Manx language (section)

=== Syntax ===

Like most [[Insular Celtic languages]], Manx is a [[verb–subject–object|VSO]] language.<ref>Broderick 1993, 276</ref> However, most finite verbs are formed periphrastically, using an auxiliary verb in conjunction with the verbal noun. In this case, only the auxiliary verb precedes the subject, while the verbal noun comes after the subject. The auxiliary verb may be a [[modal verb]] rather than a form of {{lang|gv|bee}} ("be") or {{lang|gv|jannoo}} ("do"). Particles like the negative {{lang|gv|cha}} ("not") precede the inflected verb. Examples:

{{interlinear|lang=gv|indent=3|italics1=no|italics2=yes|glossing3=yes
| {main verb} {} subject {} {direct object} {}|style1= font-variant:small-caps;
| Hug yn saggyrt e laue urree.
| put-PRET the priest his hand {on her}
| "The priest put his hand on her."<ref>Broderick 1984–86, 1:181</ref>}}

{{interlinear|lang=gv|indent=3|italics1=no|italics2=yes|glossing3=yes
| {aux. verb} {} subject {main verb} {} {direct object}|style1= font-variant:small-caps;
| Va ny eayin gee yn conney.
| were the lambs eat-V.N. the gorse
| "The lambs used to eat the gorse."<ref>Broderick 1984–86, 1:179</ref>}}

{{interlinear|lang=gv|indent=3|italics1=no|italics2=yes|glossing3=yes
| {} {modal verb} subject {main verb} {direct object}|style1= font-variant:small-caps;
| Cha jarg shiu fakin {red erbee.}
| not can you-PL see-V.N. anything
| "You can't see anything."<ref>Broderick 1993, 274</ref>}}

When the auxiliary verb is a form of {{lang|gv|jannoo}} ("do"), the direct object precedes the verbal noun and is connected to it with the particle {{lang|gv|y}}:

{{interlinear|lang=gv|indent=3|italics1=no|italics2=yes|glossing3=yes
| {aux. verb} subject {direct object} {} {main verb}|style1= font-variant:small-caps;
| Ren ad {my choraa} y chlashtyn.
| did they {my voice} PTCL hear-V.N.
| "They heard my voice."<ref name="Thoms105"/>}}

As in Irish (cf. [[Irish syntax#The forms meaning "to be"]]), there are two ways of expressing "to be" in Manx: with the substantive verb {{lang|gv|bee}}, and with the copula. The substantive verb is used when the [[predicate (grammar)|predicate]] is an adjective, adverb, or [[prepositional phrase]].<ref>Broderick 1993, 276–77</ref> Examples:

{{interlinear|lang=gv|indent=3
| t' eh agglagh
| is it awful/frightening
| "It is awful/frightening."}}

{{interlinear|lang=gv|indent=3
| t' eh {dy mie}
| is he well
| "He is well"}}

{{interlinear|lang=gv|indent=3
| t' eh ayns y thie-oast
| is he in the house-ale
| "He is in the ale-house ([[pub]])."}}

Where the predicate is a noun, it must be converted to a prepositional phrase headed by the preposition {{lang|gv|in}} ("in") + possessive pronoun (agreeing with the subject) in order for the substantive verb to be grammatical:

{{interlinear|lang=gv|indent=3
| t' eh ny wooinney mie
| is he in-his man good
| "He is a good man" (lit. "He is in his good man")<ref>Broderick 1993, 277</ref>}}

Otherwise, the copula is used when the predicate is a noun. The copula itself takes the form {{lang|gv|is}} or {{lang|gv|she}} in the present tense, but it is often omitted in affirmative statements:

{{interlinear|lang=gv|indent=3
| She Manninagh mish
| COP Manxman me
| "I am a Manxman."<ref>Broderick 1993, 278</ref>}}

{{interlinear|lang=gv|indent=3
| Shoh 'n dooinney
| this the man
| "This is the man."<ref name=Thoms105>Thomson 1992, 105</ref>}}

In questions and negative sentences, the present tense of the copula is {{lang|gv|nee}}:

{{interlinear|lang=gv|indent=3
| Cha nee mish eh
| not COP me him
| "I am not him."<ref name=Thoms105 />}}

{{interlinear|lang=gv|indent=3
| Nee shoh 'n lioar?
| COP this the book
| "Is this the book?"<ref name=Thoms105 />}}