title | layout |
---|---|
Coverb Separation (2/3) |
page |
Recall from the last section:
The topic goes first, and the thing that is to be emphasised goes before the verb.
So while the coverb remains attached to the verb, the verb is emphasised and the sentence remains neutral. However, when the coverb is detached (and moves to the right), it is no longer blocking the emphasis from the word before. Thus the word order may change and different things can be emphasised.
But it isn't that simple, let's explore all the different scenarios.
Here is how the situation goes down generally.
- A mohó róka megette a csirkét. - (The greedy fox at the chicken. NEUTRAL)
- A mohó róka ette meg a csirkét. - (Focus:
a mohó róka
) - A csirkét ette meg a mohó róka. - (Focus:
a csirkét
)
- A mohó róka ette meg a csirkét. - (Focus:
This detachment can also be seen when a verb and a telic verb in the infinitive are used together. Whatever is in front, is emphasised.
- Próbáltam elnézni. - (I tried to look away)
- El próbáltam nézni. - (Focus:
el
. Notfel
,le
, orki
.) - Elnézni próbáltam - (Focus:
elnéz
. Notlát
,hallgat
ormond
.)
- El próbáltam nézni. - (Focus:
It's the same deal with the conjugated infinitive.
- Fel kell kelnem. - (Focus:
fel
. Notát
oregybe
)- Felkelnem kell. - (Focus:
felkel
. Notlefekszik
) - Kell felkelnem. - (Focus:
kell
. As opposed to not needing to.)
- Felkelnem kell. - (Focus:
Whatever precedes kell
or starts the sentence is emphasised. Similar ordering is seen using sikerült
and the conjugated infinitive.
- Megoldtuk. - (We solved it.)
- Sikerült megoldanunk. - (Focus:
sikerült
. It didn't fail.) - Meg sikerült oldanunk. - (Focus:
meg
. We set out to solve it, and it was solved.) - Megoldanunk sikerült. - (Focus:
megold
. Notmegcsinál
.)
- Sikerült megoldanunk. - (Focus:
Whenever a sentence is negated, the coverbs are always detached.
-
Megtaláltam a kulcsot. (I found my key. Neutral)
-
Nem találtam meg a kulcsot. - (I didn't find the key. Negated)
-
György megoldotta a keresztrejtvényt. - (György solved the crossword. Neutral)
-
György nem oldotta meg a keresztrejtvényt. - (György didn't solve the crossword. Negated)
Because of the coverb always separating when present in a negated sentence, negated verbs are a kind of emphasis.
Likewise the detachment is present when using fog
as well. The position of the coverb can be placed before a word that is before fog
.
- A mohó róka meg fogja enni a csirkét. - (The greedy fox will eat the chicken. Neutral)
- A mohó róka fogja megenni a csirkét. - (Focus:
a mohó róka
) - A csirkét meg fogja enni a mohó róka. - (Topic:
a csirkét
, Focus:megeszik
)
Adding fog
into a present tense sentence with coverbs changes things up.
- elmegyek » el fogok menni
- megyek el » fogok elmenni
We saw here that a coverb has to jump in front of both verbs, if it wants to be emphasised.
When coverbs are present in a non yes-no question, they are usually separated (regardless if negation is present or not).
- Mikor indulunk el? - (When do we leave?)
- Hol találtad meg? - (Where did you find it?)
- Miért nem jött vissza sohasem? (Why did he never even come back?)
- Kiket nem hívtatok meg? - (Who (plural) didn't you invite?)
In the imperative mood, the coverb is always detached.
- Hívj fel, ha van időd. - (Ring me if you have time.)
- Kapcsoljátok le a villanyt, mielőtt mentek aludni! ((2nd Person) Turn off the lights before you go to sleep!)
In the subjunctive mood, the coverb is usually attached.
- Azt akarom, hogy kipróbáljátok ezt. - (I want you guys to try this out.)
- Az a célom, hogy átmenjek a vizsgán. - (My goal is to pass the exam.)
Challenge!
Arrange these words into a sentence that puts focus on ötször
. Decide if the coverb should be separated.
- ügyetlen
- ötször
- labdát
- a
- olyan
- már
- fiú
- a
- elejtette
- az
Az a fiú olyan ügyetlen, már ötször ejtette el a labdát.
Got questions? Join our discord server!: https://discord.gg/VsqppQ6