Serbian
Contributed by Anastasia Escher (Academia.edu profile ). The data were gathered in 2013.
How to cite
Escher, Anastasia. 2023. Bivalent patterns in Serbian.
In: Say, Sergey (ed.). BivalTyp: Typological database of bivalent verbs and their encoding frames.
St. Petersburg: Institute for Linguistic Studies, RAS.
(Data first published on February 6, 2023;
last revised on January 17, 2024.) (Available online at https://www.bivaltyp.info ,
Accessed on .)
Basic info
Coordinates: 44.32, 21.0 .
Genealogy (as given in WALS ). Family: Indo-European, genus: Slavic.
Macro-area: Europe.
Grammar notes
Basic clause structure and the transitive construction
Serbian generally exhibits the nominative-accusative alignment. In the basic transitive construction, the A-argument is in the nominative, and the P-argument is in the accusative. In non-transitive bivalent constructions, at least one argument is flagged by an oblique case marker or by a preposition (in combination with a case marker). The relative order of nominal arguments and the verb is relatively free. For the majority of bivalent predicates, the SVO order is the unmarked choice if both arguments are nominal. However, alternative word order patterns are possible and have communicative and pragmatic functions.
Pronouns differentiate between stressed and unstressed (clitic) forms. All clitics are placed in the clause-second (Wackernagel's) position and their relative order is generally fixed. Zero subjects (the so-called pro-drop) are common.
The predicate always agrees with the canonical nominative subject in number and person. In some analytical forms, including the basic past tense form, the predicate also displays gender agreement with the subject. Non-subjects are never indexed on the predicate.
Case system
There are 7 full-fledged cases: nominative, accusative, genitive, dative, locative, instrumental and vocative. Locative forms are always used with a preposition. The contrast between the locative and the dative case is on the verge of extinction and manifests itself exclusively by pitch accent differences.
Verb lemmas
Verbs are cited in their infinitive form specified for aspect (perfective or imperfective).
Glossing abbreviations
3 — 3rd person; ACC — accusative; DAT — dative; F — feminine; GEN — genitive; INS — instrumental; LOC — locative; M — masculine; N — neuter; NOM — nominative; PART — participle; PERF — perfect; PL — plural; PN — person name; PRS — present; REFL — reflexive; SG — singular.
Data
Subset examples by valency pattern
Any
NA
ACC_NOM
DAT_GEN
DAT_NOM
INS_NOM
NOM_bezGEN
NOM_DAT
NOM_doGEN
NOM_GEN
NOM_INS
NOM_izGEN
NOM_naACC
NOM_NOM(NO.AGR)
NOM_odGEN
NOM_oLOC
NOM_sGEN
NOM_sINS
NOM_uACC
NOM_uLOC
NOM_zaACC
NOM_zaINS
NOM_zbogGEN
TR
Subset examples by locus
Any
*
TR
X
XY
Y
Valency pattern:
ACC_NOM
X: ACC
Y: NOM
Locus: X
Petr-a
boli
glav-a
pn
-
acc
.
sg
ache.
prs
.3
sg
head-
nom
.
sg
‘Petar has a headache.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
ima
grip
pn
.
nom
.
sg
have.
prs
.3
sg
flu.
acc
.
sg
‘Petar has the flu.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_GEN
X: NOM
Y: GEN
Locus: Y
Petar
se
plaši
ps-a
pn
.
nom
.
sg
refl
frighten.
prs
.3
sg
dog-
gen
.
sg
‘Petar is afraid of the dog.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
baci-o
kamen
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
throw-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
stone.
acc
.
sg
‘Petar threw a stone.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Petar
ima
dovoljno
novc-a
pn
.
nom
.
sg
have.
prs
.3
sg
enough
money-
gen
.
sg
‘Petar has enough money.’
Note: Not included in the database because the intended meaning is expressed by a structurally discontinuous combination (predicate + NP-internal component).
Valency pattern:
NOM_naACC
X: NOM
Y: naACC
Locus: Y
Petar
liči
na
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
resemble.
prs
.3
sg
on
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar resembles Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Petar
veruje
Marij-i
pn
.
nom
.
sg
believe.
prs
.3
sg
pn
-
dat
.
sg
‘Petar believes Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
uze-o
knjig-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
take-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
book-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar took a book.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
vidi
kuć-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
see.
prs
.3
sg
house-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar sees a house.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_naACC
X: NOM
Y: naACC
Locus: Y
uzrast
utiče
na
pamćenj-e
age.
nom
.
sg
influence.
prs
.3
sg
on
memory-
acc
.
sg
‘Age influences memory.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
sre-o
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
meet.
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar encountered Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_uACC
X: NOM
Y: uACC
Locus: Y
Petar
je
uša-o
u
kuć-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
enter-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
in
house-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar entered the house.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
pobedi-o
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
win-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar beat Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_izGEN
X: NOM
Y: izGEN
Locus: Y
Petar
je
izaša-o
iz
kuć-e
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
go.out-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
from
house-
gen
.
sg
‘Petar went out of the house.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
tera
krav-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
drive.
prs
.3
sg
cow-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar is driving the cow.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
savi-o
gran-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
bend-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
branch-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar bent the branch.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Petar
je
reka-o
Marij-i
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
tell-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
pn
-
dat
.
sg
‘Petar told Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
drži
knjig-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
hold.
prs
.3
sg
book-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar is holding a book.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
stiga-o
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
catch.up-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar caught up with Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
pomuza-o
krav-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
milk-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
cow-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar milked the cow.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_doGEN
X: NOM
Y: doGEN
Locus: Y
Petar
je
stiga-o
do
obal-e
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
reach-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
up.to
bank-
gen
.
sg
.
f
‘Petar reached the bank.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
dodirnu-o
zid
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
touch-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
wall.
acc
.
sg
‘Petar touched the wall.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_sINS
X: NOM
Y: sINS
Locus: Y
Petar
se
tuče
sa
Mark-om
pn
.
nom
.
sg
refl
hit.
prs
.3
sg
with
pn
-
ins
.
sg
‘Petar is fighting with Mark.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_sINS
X: NOM
Y: sINS
Locus: Y
Petar
se
druži
sa
Marij-om
pn
.
nom
.
sg
refl
be.friends.
prs
.3
sg
with
pn
-
ins
.
sg
‘Petar is friends with Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_naACC
X: NOM
Y: naACC
Locus: Y
Petar
misli
na
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
think.
prs
.3
sg
on
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar is thinking about Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
poje-o
jabuk-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
eat-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
apple-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar ate an apple.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
isprži-o
rib-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
fry-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
fish-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar fried the fish.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
čeka
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
wait.
prs
.3
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar is waiting for Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_naACC
X: NOM
Y: naACC
Locus: Y
Petar
je
zaboravi-o
na
drug-i
put
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
forget-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
on
other-
acc
.
sg
.
m
road.
acc
.
sg
‘Petar forgot about the other road.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_odGEN
X: NOM
Y: odGEN
Locus: Y
Pamćenj-e
zavisi
od
uzrast-a
memory-
nom
.
sg
depend.
prs
.3
sg
from.near
age-
gen
.
sg
‘Memory depends on age.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
pozva-o
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
call-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar called Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
upozna-o
Marij-u
pre
godin-u
dan-a
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
get.to.know-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
in.front
year-
acc
.
sg
day-
gen
.
pl
‘Petar got to know Maria a year ago.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
poznaje
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
know.
prs
.3
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar knows Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
svira
gitar-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
play.
prs
.3
sg
guitar-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar is playing the guitar.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
izbegava
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
avoid.
prs
.3
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar avoids Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
napravi-o
bomb-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
make-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
bomb-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar made a bomb.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
maltretira
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
make.fun.
prs
.3
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar is making fun of Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
ima
kol-a
pn
.
nom
.
sg
have.
prs
.3
sg
car-
acc
.
pl
‘Petar has a car.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
traži
ključ-eve
pn
.
nom
.
sg
look.for.
prs
.3
sg
key-
acc
.
pl
‘Petar is looking for his keys.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
ofarba-o
ograd-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
paint-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
fence-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar painted the fence.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Pas
je
uje-o
Petr-a
dog.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
bite-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘A dog bit Petar.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_bezGEN
X: NOM
Y: bezGEN
Locus: Y
Petar
je
osta-o
bez
kuć-e
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
remain-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
without
house-
gen
.
sg
‘Petar lost his house.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
juri
mačk-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
try.to.catch.
prs
.3
sg
cat-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar is trying to catch the cat.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
polomi-o
štap
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
break-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
stick.
acc
.
sg
‘Petar broke a stick.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Petar
laska
Marij-i
pn
.
nom
.
sg
flatter.
prs
.3
sg
pn
-
dat
.
sg
‘Petar is flattering Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
voli
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
love.
prs
.3
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar loves Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_INS
X: NOM
Y: INS
Locus: Y
Petar
maše
maram-om
pn
.
nom
.
sg
wave.
prs
.3
sg
handkerchief-
ins
.
sg
.
f
‘Petar is waving a handkerchief.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_oLOC
X: NOM
Y: oLOC
Locus: Y
Petar
mašta
o
nov-im
kol-ima
pn
.
nom
.
sg
dream.
prs
.3
sg
about
new.
loc
.
pl
.
n
car-
loc
.
pl
‘Petar is dreaming of a new car.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
opra-o
šolj-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
wash-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
cup-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar washed the cup.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
obuka-o
pantalon-e
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
put.on-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
trousers-
acc
.
pl
‘Petar put on his trousers.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_NOM(NO.AGR)
X: NOM
Y: NOM(NO.AGR)
Locus: Y
taj
predmet
se
zove
kompas
this.
nom
.
sg
.
m
object.
nom
.
sg
refl
call.
prs
.3
sg
compass.
nom
.
sg
‘This object is called a compass.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
kazni-o
sv-og
sin-a
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
punish-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
one’s-
acc
.
sg
son-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar punished his son.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
medved
je
napa-o
pecaroš-a
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
attack-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
fisherman-
acc
.
sg
‘A bear attacked a fisherman.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_INS
X: NOM
Y: INS
Locus: Y
kof-a
se
napuni-la
vod-om
bucket.
nom
.
sg
.
f
refl
fill-
part
.
perf
.
f
.
sg
water-
ins
.
sg
‘The bucket filled with water.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
naša-o
ključ-eve
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
find-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
key-
acc
.
pl
‘Petar found his keys.’
Valency pattern:
DAT_NOM
X: DAT
Y: NOM
Locus: X
Petr-u
fali
jedan
dolar
pn
-
dat
.
sg
lack.
prs
.3
sg
one.
nom
.
sg
dollar.
nom
.
sg
‘Petar is one dollar short.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
mrzi
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
hate.
prs
.3
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar hates Maria.’
Valency pattern:
DAT_NOM
X: DAT
Y: NOM
Locus: X
Petr-u
se
sviđa
ta
košulj-a
pn
-
dat
.
sg
refl
like.
prs
.3
sg
this.
nom
.
sg
.
f
shirt-
nom
.
sg
‘Petar likes this shirt.’
Valency pattern:
DAT_NOM
X: DAT
Y: NOM
Locus: X
Petr-u
je
potreban
novac
pn
-
dat
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
necessary.
nom
.
sg
money.
nom
.
sg
‘Petar needs money.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.
Valency pattern:
INS_NOM
X: INS
Y: NOM
Locus: X
grad
je
opasan
zidin-ama
city.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
surround.
part
.
pass
.
nom
.
sg
.
m
city_wall-
ins
.
pl
‘Walls surround the city.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate (passive).
Valency pattern:
DAT_NOM
X: DAT
Y: NOM
Locus: X
Petr-u
je
osta-lo
deset
dolar-a
pn
-
dat
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
remain-
part
.
perf
.
n
.
sg
ten
dollar-
gen
.
pl
‘Petar has ten dollars left.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Petar
je
odgovori-o
učitelj-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
answer-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
teacher-
dat
.
sg
‘Petar answered the teacher.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
otvori-o
tegl-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
open-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
jar-
acc
‘Petar opened a can.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_odGEN
X: NOM
Y: odGEN
Locus: Y
moj-a
košulj-a
se
razlikuje
od
tvoj-e
my-
nom
.
sg
.
f
shirt-
nom
.
sg
refl
differ.
prs
.3
sg
from.near
your-
gen
.
sg
.
f
‘My shirt is different from yours.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_zaINS
X: NOM
Y: zaINS
Locus: Y
Petar
je
zaosta-o
za
Marij-om
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
fall.behind-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
behind
pn
-
ins
.
sg
‘Petar fell behind Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
ore
njiv-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
plough.
prs
.3
sg
field-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar is ploughing the field.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_naACC
X: NOM
Y: naACC
Locus: Y
moj-e
ruk-e
miriš-u
na
benzin
my-
nom
.
pl
.
f
hand-
nom
.
pl
smell-
prs
.3
pl
on
gasoline.
acc
.
sg
‘My hands smell of gasoline.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
preša-o
ulic-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
cross-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
street-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar crossed the road.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
otpeva-o
lep-u
pesm-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
sing-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
beautiful-
acc
.
sg
.
f
song-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar sang a beautiful song.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
napisa-o
pism-o
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
write-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
letter-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar wrote a letter.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
popi-o
mlek-o
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
drink-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
milk-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar drank the milk.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
rastopi-o
komad
olov-a
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
melt-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
piece-
acc
.
sg
lead-
gen
.
sg
.
n
‘Petar melted a piece of lead.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
taj
kaiš
odgovara
moj-oj
haljin-i
this
belt.
nom
.
sg
answer.
prs
.3
sg
my-
dat
.
sg
.
f
dress-
dat
.
sg
‘This belt goes well with my dress.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
napusti-o
rodn-i
grad
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
leave-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
native-
acc
.
sg
.
m
city.
acc
.
sg
‘Petar left his native city.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
tepih
pokriva
ceo
pod
carpet.
nom
.
sg
cover.
prs
.3
sg
all.
acc
.
sg
.
m
floor.
acc
.
sg
‘The carpet covers the whole floor.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_GEN
X: NOM
Y: GEN
Locus: Y
Petar
se
dobro
seća
kuć-e
pn
.
nom
.
sg
refl
well
remember.
prs
.3
sg
house-
gen
.
sg
‘Petar remembers the house well.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Petar
je
pomoga-o
Marij-i
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
help-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
pn
-
dat
.
sg
‘Petar helped Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
razume
francusk-i
jezik
pn
.
nom
.
sg
understand.
prs
.3
sg
f
rench-
acc
.
sg
.
m
language.
acc
.
sg
‘Petar understands French.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_uACC
X: NOM
Y: uACC
Locus: Y
munja
je
pogodi-la
u
kuću
lightning.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
hit-
part
.
perf
.
f
.
sg
in
house-
acc
.
sg
‘Lightning struck the house.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_INS
X: NOM
Y: INS
Locus: Y
Petar
se
poseka-o
brijač-em
pn
.
nom
.
sg
refl
cut-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
razor-
ins
.
sg
‘Petar cut himself with a razor.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_zaACC
X: NOM
Y: zaACC
Locus: Y
čaš-a
se
zalepi-la
za
sto
glass-
nom
.
sg
refl
stick-
part
.
perf
.
f
.
sg
behind
table-
acc
.
sg
‘The glass got stuck to the table.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_odGEN
X: NOM
Y: odGEN
Locus: Y
Petar
je
izgubi-o
od
Marij-e
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
lose-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
from.near
pn
-
gen
.
sg
‘Petar lost to Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Petar
se
obradova-o
pism-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
refl
gladden-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
letter-
dat
.
sg
‘Petar was glad about the letter.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_sINS
X: NOM
Y: sINS
Locus: Y
Petar
priča
sa
Marij-om
pn
.
nom
.
sg
speak.
prs
.3
sg
with
pn
-
ins
‘Petar is speaking with Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Marij-a
je
rodi-la
sin-a
pn
-
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
give.birth-
part
.
perf
.
f
.
sg
son-
acc
.
sg
‘Maria gave birth to a son.’
Valency pattern:
DAT_NOM
X: DAT
Y: NOM
Locus: X
Petr-u
je
ispa-la
čaš-a
pn
-
dat
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
fall.down-
part
.
perf
.
f
.
sg
glass-
nom
.
sg
‘Petar dropped the glass.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_INS
X: NOM
Y: INS
Locus: Y
Petar
upravlja
naš-im
sel-om
pn
.
nom
.
sg
govern.
prs
.3
sg
our-
ins
.
sg
.
m
village-
ins
.
sg
‘Petar runs our town.’
Valency pattern:
DAT_NOM
X: DAT
Y: NOM
Locus: X
Petr-u
nedostaje
Marij-a
pn
-
dat
.
sg
miss.
prs
.3
sg
pn
-
nom
.
sg
‘Petar misses Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
sledi
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
follow.
prs
.3
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar follows Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_sGEN
X: NOM
Y: sGEN
Locus: Y
Petar
je
siša-o
s
konj-a
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
go.down-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
from.up
horse-
gen
.
sg
‘Petar got down from the horse.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
sluša
radio
pn
.
nom
.
sg
listen.
prs
.3
sg
radio.
acc
.
sg
‘Petar is listening to radio.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
sluša
mam-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
listen.
prs
.3
sg
mother-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar obeys his mother.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
čuje
muzik-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
hear.
prs
.3
sg
music-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar hears the music.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_sINS
X: NOM
Y: sINS
Locus: Y
med
se
sjedini-o
s
mlek-om
honey.
nom
.
sg
refl
mix-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
with
milk-
ins
.
sg
‘The honey got mixed with milk.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_uACC
X: NOM
Y: uACC
Locus: Y
Petar
gleda
u
oblak-e
pn
.
nom
.
sg
look.
prs
.3
sg
in
cloud-
acc
.
pl
‘Petar is looking at the clouds.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
skinu-o
košulj-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
put.off-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
shirt-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar took off his shirt.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
sanja
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
see_in_dream.
prs
.3
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar dreams about Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_sINS
X: NOM
Y: sINS
Locus: Y
Petar
se
složi-o
s
Marij-om
pn
.
nom
.
sg
refl
unite-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
with
pn
-
ins
.
sg
‘Petar agreed with Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_sINS
X: NOM
Y: sINS
Locus: Y
Petar
se
posvađa-o
s
Marij-om
pn
.
nom
.
sg
refl
quarrel-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
with
pn
-
ins
.
sg
‘Petar had a quarrel with Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
ta
šolj-a
košta
jedan
dolar
this.
nom
.
sg
.
f
cup-
nom
.
sg
cost.
prs
.3
sg
one.
acc
.
sg
.
m
dollar.
acc
.
sg
‘This cup costs one dollar.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_uACC
X: NOM
Y: uACC
Locus: Y
Petar
je
puka-o
u
ptic-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
shoot-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
in
bird-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar shot at the bird.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
stavi-o
šećer
u
šolj-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
put-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
sugar.
acc
.
sg
in
cup-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar poured the sugar into the cup.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
izgubi-o
ključ-eve
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
lose-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
key-
acc
.
pl
‘Petar lost his keys.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_uACC
X: NOM
Y: uACC
Locus: Y
cepanic-a
je
potonu-l-a
u
vod-u
log-
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
sink-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
in
water-
acc
.
sg
‘The log sank in the water.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
ubi-o
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
kill-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar killed Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
udari-o
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
hit-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar hit Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
poljubi-o
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
kiss-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar kissed Maria.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
pročita-o
interesantn-u
knjig-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
read-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
interesting-
acc
.
sg
.
f
book-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar read an interesting book.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_INS
X: NOM
Y: INS
Locus: Y
Petar
je
mrdnu-o
prst-om
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
move-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
finger-
ins
.
sg
‘Petar moved his finger.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
poštuje
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
respect.
prs
.3
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar respects Maria.’
Valency pattern:
DAT_NOM
X: DAT
Y: NOM
Locus: X
Petr-u
se
gadi
prljav-o
posuđ-e
pn
-
dat
.
sg
refl
disgust.
prs
.3
sg
dirty-
nom
.
sg
.
n
dishes-
nom
.
sg
‘Petar is squeamish about dirty dishes.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_INS
X: NOM
Y: INS
Locus: Y
Petar
je
zadovoljan
svoj-im
sin-om
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
content.
nom
.
sg
.
m
one’s-
ins
.
sg
.
m
son-
ins
.
sg
‘Petar is satisfied with his son.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.
Valency pattern:
NOM_uACC
X: NOM
Y: uACC
Locus: Y
Petar
se
zaljubi-o
u
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
refl
fall.in.love-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
in
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar fell in love with Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_uACC
X: NOM
Y: uACC
Locus: Y
Petar
ima
poverenj-e
u
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
have.
prs
.3
sg
trust-
acc
.
sg
in
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar trusts Maria.’
Valency pattern:
DAT_GEN
X: DAT
Y: GEN
Locus: XY
Petr-u
je
žao
svoj-e
majk-e
pn
-
dat
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
pity
one’s-
gen
.
sg
.
f
mother-
gen
.
sg
‘Petar sympathises with his mother.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Petar
zavidi
Marij-i
pn
.
nom
.
sg
envy.
prs
.3
sg
pn
-
dat
.
sg
‘Petar envies Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_naACC
X: NOM
Y: naACC
Locus: Y
Petar
se
ljuti
na
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
refl
anger.
prs
.3
sg
on
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar is angry with Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Petar
se
iznenadi-o
t-om
poklon-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
refl
surprise-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
this-
dat
.
sg
.
m
gift-
dat
.
sg
‘Petar was surprised at this gift.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
voli
čaj
pn
.
nom
.
sg
like.
prs
.3
sg
tea.
acc
.
sg
‘Petar loves tea.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_uLOC
X: NOM
Y: uLOC
Locus: Y
Petar
uživa
u
vruć-em
čaj-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
enjoy.
prs
.3
sg
in
hot-
loc
.
sg
.
m
tea-
loc
.
sg
‘Petar enjoys hot tea.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
želi
nov-i
mobiln-i
pn
.
nom
.
sg
want.
prs
.3
sg
new-
acc
.
sg
.
m
mobile-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar wants a new mobile phone.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_naACC
X: NOM
Y: naACC
Locus: Y
Petar
se
ljuti
na
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
refl
anger.
prs
.3
sg
on
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar holds a grudge against Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Petar
se
uvredi-o
pn
.
nom
.
sg
refl
offend-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
‘Petar got offended.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y cannot be overtly expressed.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
je
mnogo
rastuži-o
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
very
upset-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar greatly upset Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_INS
X: NOM
Y: INS
Locus: Y
Petar
je
bi-o
oduševljen
t-im
grad-om
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
be-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
amaze.
part
.
pass
.
nom
.
sg
this-
ins
.
sg
.
m
city-
ins
.
sg
‘Petar was amazed by this town.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate (passive).
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Petar
prezira
Marij-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
despise.
prs
.3
sg
pn
-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar despises Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_zbogGEN
X: NOM
Y: zbogGEN
Locus: Y
Petar
se
rastuži-o
zbog
sv-og
sin-a
pn
.
nom
.
sg
refl
upset-
part
.
perf
.
m
.
sg
because.of
one’s-
gen
.
sg
.
m
son-
gen
.
sg
‘Petar got upset because of his son.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_naACC
X: NOM
Y: naACC
Locus: Y
Petar
je
besan
na
svoj-u
kćerk-u
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.
prs
.3
sg
angry.
nom
.
sg
on
one’s-
acc
.
sg
.
f
daughter-
acc
.
sg
‘Petar is getting irritated with his daughter.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Petar
simpatiše
Marij-i
pn
.
nom
.
sg
be.fond.
prs
.3
sg
pn
-
dat
.
sg
‘Petar is fond of Maria.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_GEN
X: NOM
Y: GEN
Locus: Y
Petar
se
stidi
svoj-e
visin-e
pn
.
nom
.
sg
refl
shame.
prs
.3
sg
one’s-
gen
.
sg
.
f
height-
gen
.
sg
‘Petar is embarrased about his height.’