Specific cases

The quasi – auxiliary verbs

The Hungarian word order

Source: Carol H. Rounds/ Hungarian - An essential grammar

Yes – no questions are characterized by not having a question word in them. In this instance the word or phrase being questioned is in the focus position. This may be any part of speech. If it is a verb, the coverb is in the focus position. (It is often difficult for english speakers to determine what is specifically questioned.)

Specific cases – More on focus I.Questions

- Kedvesek voltak? -

- Sokáig vártak az emberek?

Az emberek sokáig vártak? -

- Meg - vársz engem?

- Meg fogsz várni engem?

- Engem vársz? -

- Ildikót keresed? -

Topic Focus Verb X

If a sentence contains both a question word and negation, they both occur in the focus preverb position; the question word precedes negation.

Specific cases – More on focus II.

Questions and negation

Topic Focus Verb X

- Ki nem kér kávét?

Péter miért nem akar táncolni?

- Kit nem hívtál meg a bulira?

Imperatives

An imperative sentence usually begins with the conjugated imperative verb followed by the coverb.

Examples: Vedd meg azt az inget! Buy that shirt!

Gyertek ide! Come here!

Ne menjetek el nélkülem! Don’t go without me!

Specific cases – More on focus III.

The verbs - kell (be necessary), akar (want), tud (know how, can, be able), lehet (be possible), szokott (used to, usually), tetszik (be pleasuring), fog (will - future) often occur in constructions with a second verb in the infinitive. When they do, they require the preverb position be filled. In such sentences, the quasi – axiliary is the conjugated verb and the preverb position is filled with the verbal complement or modifier of the infinitive – not of the conjugated verb. If the infinitive has no verbal complement/ modifier, then it fills the preverb position itself.

Word order of the quasi – auxiliary verbs

Although the quasi – axiliary verbs do not have coverbs, the coverb of the infinitive with which they occur fills the preverb position, thus separating itself from the infinitive.Examples:

Le tetszik szállni az autóbuszról? (leszáll) Are you getting of the bus?

Be tudod fejezni a munkát? (befejez) Can you finish the work?

Fel fog hívni holnap. (felhív) He will call me tomorrow.

Word order of the quasi – auxiliary verbs

If the infinitive of the verb does not have a coverb, its modifying adverb, adverbial or verbal complement fills the preverb position of the quasi – auxiliary verb.Examples:

A diákoknak sokat kell olvasniuk (sokat olvas) The students must read a lot.

Anita levelet akar írni. (levelet ír) Anita wants to write a letter.

Gyula Pécsen fog lakni. (Pécsen lakik) Gyula will live in Pécs.

Word order of the quasi – auxiliary verbs

In non - neutral sentences, the focus element must occupy the focus position immediately before the conjugated verb; in this case the modifier of the infinitive (coverb, adverb, etc.) precedes the infinitive.

Examples: Márta aludni akar. Márta wants to sleep.

Reggel mosni szokott. In the morning he usually does the laundry.

Nekünk tanulnunk kell. We have to study.

Word order of the quasi – auxiliary verbs

If the infinitive has neither a coverb, modifying adverb, adverbial or verbal complement, the infinitive itself occupies the preverb position.

Let’s see some examples!

Word order of the quasi – auxiliary verbs

Neutral = N; Focus = F

N: Le tetszik szállni az autóbuszról?Are you getting of the bus?

F: Nem tetszik leszállni az autóbuszról?Aren’t you getting of the bus?

N: Fel fog hívni holnap.He will call me tomorrow.

F: Mikor fog felhívni?When will he call me?

F: Holnap fog felhívni. (answer to question)He will call me tomorrow.

Word order of the quasi – auxiliary verbs

N: A diákoknak sokat kell olvasniuk.The students must read a lot.

F: Kinek kell sokat olvasnia?Who has to read a lot?

F: Miért kell sokat olvasniuk?Why do they have to read a lot?

N: Gyula Pécsett fog lakni.Gyula will live in Pécs.

F: Gyula fog Pécsett lakni, nem a húga.Gyula is going to live in Pécs, not his sister.

F: Gyula nem fog Pécsett lakni. Gyula is not going to live in Pécs.

Word order of the quasi – auxiliary verbs

N: Márta aludni akar.Márta wants to sleep.

F: Ki akar aludni?Who wants to sleep?

F: Márta akar aludni. (answer to question)Márta wants to sleep.

Word order of the quasi – auxiliary verbs

More verbs that follow the word order patterns of quasi - auxiliaries

bír can, manage to

kezd begin

kíván wish

mer dare

óhajt desire

próbál try

szándékozik wish, intend to

szeretne would like

talál happen to

The End