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Alternations of noun phrases and prepositional and other phrases
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Verb frame alternations take, as their point of departure, clausal arguments such as a dative or indirect object, an accusative or direct object, or a nominative or subject noun phrase, with a view to determining to what extent each of these can be matched with a complement or adjunct of the main verb in various clauses or constructions. Examples of the three main alternations are provided in (1), (2) and (3), respectively.

1
a. Die slang gee Eva 'n appel.
the snake give.PRS Eve.DAT an apple
The snake gives Eve an apple.
b. Die slang gee vir Eva 'n appel.
the snake give.PRS for Eve an apple
The snake gives Eve an apple.
2
a. Willie bekyk sy nuwe motor.
Willie look.at.PRS his new car.ACC
Willie looks at his new car.
b. Willie kyk na sy nuwe motor.
Willie look.PRS at his new car
Willie looks at his new car.
3
a. Dit krioel van die insekte in die tuin.
it.NOM swarm.PRS of the insects in the garden
The garden swarms with insects.
b. Die tuin krioel van die insekte.
the garden.NOM swarm.PRS of the insects
The garden swarms with insects.
References
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