Modern Hindi Grammar - Indian Institute of Language Studies (IILS)

4. SYNTAX

In Hindi, the verb occurs in the final position. The unmarked word
order is subject, indirect object, direct object, adverbial (time,
locative), and verb. The direct object may occur before the indirect
object depending on the emphasis given to it. Consider sentences
(21)- (21c) below.

21. maaohna nao pITr kao AjaIt ko ilae kla Gar pr iktaba dI.
    mohan ne pi:tar ko aji:t ke liye kal ghar par kita:b di:.
    Mohan-erg Peter to Ajit for yesterday home at book gave
    Mohan gave Peter a book for Ajit yesterday at home.

21a. maaohna nao AjaIt ko ilae pITr kao kla Gar pr iktaba dI.
mohan ne aji:t ke liye pi:tar ko kal ghar par kita:b di:.

21b. maaohna nao pITr kao AjaIt ko ilae Gar pr kla iktaba dI.
mohan ne pi:tar ko aji:t ke liye ghar par kal kita:b di:.

21c. maaohna nao kla pITr kao AjaIt ko ilae Gar pr iktaba dI.
mohan ne kal pi:tar ko aji:t ke liye ghar par kita:b di:.

In sentence (21), the direct object gets more emphasis than the
indirect object. The order of emphasis is reversed in sentence (21a).
Similarly, the adverbial phrase can also precede the direct or indirect
object for emphasis.

4.3.3. Negation

4.3.3.1. Sentential Negation

Sentential negation is expressed by the negative particles nahIM nahĩ:
not, mat mat don’t, and na na no. The negative particle nahIM nahĩ: is
added before the main verb, which may or may not be followed by
an auxiliary verb.

1. vah Aajakla dF,tr nahIM jaata hO.
   vah a:jkal daftar nahĩ: ja:ta: h ́.
   he nowadays office neg go-ptc is
   He doesn’t go to the office nowadays.