User:Victor.bogren/sandbox

Syntax
Batak Karo often alternate between the actor preceding the predicate and the predicate preceding the actor for transitive clauses, although the preference is for Actor Voice clauses. Predicate-Undergoer-Actor is a common word order when the undergoer is replaced by an interrogative pronoun. In contrast, while it is possible for patient voice clauses to place the subject (the undergoer in patient voice clauses), a predicate initial word order is more frequent, with the undergoer subject placed after both the predicate and the actor.

Embun me-kapal N-tutup-i matawari.

cloud ADJ-thick AV-cover-APP.LOC sun

‘Thick cloud obscured the sun.’

Subject-Initial AV clause

Matawari i-tutup-i embun me-kapal.

sun PV-cover-LOC.APP cloud ADJ-thick

‘The sun was obscured by thick cloud.’

I-tima-i raja acéh denga putri hijau.

PV-wait-LOC.APP Raja Aceh still Putri Hijau

‘Raja Aceh still waited for Putri Hijau.’