Linguist Forum

Specializations => Morphosyntax => Topic started by: zaba on June 18, 2014, 01:21:45 AM

Title: Case declension INTO or TO?
Post by: zaba on June 18, 2014, 01:21:45 AM

When writing about case declension, is it more common to say (1) or (2)? Google doesn't really help. What's the standard out there, all y'all native speakers?

1. This form changes due to inflection into the lative case.
2. This form changes due to inflection in the lative case.

Thanks, gang.

Title: Re: Case declension INTO or TO?
Post by: Daniel on June 18, 2014, 02:07:54 AM

'Into' involves movement or change of state. Therefore, your sentences are ambiguous. Is this "inflection in the X case" or is it "due to inflection, it changes into the X case"?

Title: Re: Case declension INTO or TO?
Post by: Jase on July 22, 2014, 03:19:42 AM

Quote from: djr33 on June 18, 2014, 02:07:54 AM

'Into' involves movement or change of state. Therefore, your sentences are ambiguous. Is this "inflection in the X case" or is it "due to inflection, it changes into the X case"?

I don't think I would say "changes into the X case" but rather mention the form:

Puer changes into pueri in the dative case.

Or, more aptly:

In the dative case, puella becomes puellae.

I don't really like either of the sentences proposed in the OP. I would write something like:

This form undergoes inflection according to use, becoming X in the dative/genitive/locative/accusative case.

I think that's clearer.

Regards,
JaiHare