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

(Brent) #1

4. SYNTAX


(ii) Generic/implied antecedent



  1. Apnaa samaya naYT krnaa zIk nahIM hOOo.
    apna: samay našt karna: thi:k nahĩ: h ́.
    refl time waste do-inf good neg is
    It is not proper (for someone) to waste ones time.


Notice that in (25) the generic antecedent someone is implied.


4.3.8. Reciprocals


The primary way of expressing a reciprocal relationship is the
expression ek dUsaro kao ek du:sre ko ‘to one another’. It is the
combination of the cardinal ek ek ‘one’ and the oblique case form of
the ordinal dUsara du:sra: followed by kaoo ko. Reciprocals can also be
formed with Aapsa maoM a:pas mẽ ‘mutual’. The scope of reciprocity is
restricted to the clause.



  1. hmanao ek dUsaro ko saaqa baat kI.
    hamne ek du:sre ke sa:th ba:t ki:.
    we-erg one another-obl with talk did
    We talked to each other.

  2. ]nhaoMnao ek dUsaro kI bahut sahayata kI.
    unhõne ek du:sre ki: bahut saha:yta: ki:.
    they-erg one another-obl very help did
    They helped each other very much.


In these sentences, the scope of the reciprocal expression does not
extend to the matrix subject.


Reciprocals usually require an antecedent subject. They may be used
as a direct object, an indirect object, an adverb, or a possessive
adjective in different types of constructions.


Direct object



  1. vao ek dUsaro sao k[- baar imalao.
    ve ek du:sre se kai: ba:r mile.
    they one another-obl many times lot-abl met
    They met each other many times.

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