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The argument IPI-construction
quickinfo

Two examples of the argument Imperativus-pro-Infinitivo (IPI) construction are given below (BI stands for Bare Infinitive):

1
a. Soe it net it bêste wêze en praat oer wat oars?
would it not the best be and talk.BI about something else
Wouldn't it be the best to talk about something else?
b. It knyft krijt by Gabe gjin kâns en helje gefaarlike fiten út
the knife get with Gabe no chance and get.BI dangerous feats out
The knife does not get any chance with Gabe to perform dangerous deeds

The argument IPI is found in various syntactic positions, corresponding to various syntactic functions. Argument IPIs characteristically occur in positions which also allow to-infinitival clauses. In rare cases, an argument IPI can be introduced by another complementiser than en and. A very peculiar type of IPI is the imperative (or adhortative) IPI, which has properties in common both with argument IPIs and with imperative main clauses. The adjunct IPI features obligatory control, whereas the argument IPI may also feature optional control.

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