Word Order: The Verb Comes Last

01

Subject, Object, Verb

When the one doing it is named, it comes first. When it is only in the verb ending, the sentence starts with the object, or with a joined verb such as "when I came in".

• Arnap taassuma qimmini aneeruppaa.

  That woman is walking with her dog. (woman, her dog, walks)

• Ataataga tunissummik tunivara.

  I gave a present to my father. (my father: the object; a present; I gave)

• Iserama matu matuaa.

  She closed the door after I came in. (when I came in, the door, she closed)

02

Inside the Noun Phrase

A describing word and a number follow their noun, the describing word first. A word like "these" can then come last: atuakkat nutaat qulit taakku "these ten new books".

• Asseq kusanartoq iikkami nivingavoq.

  The beautiful photo hangs on the wall. (asseq kusanartoq "the beautiful photo")

• Meeqqakka pingasut tamarmik ukioqatigiipput.

  My three children are all the same age. (meeqqakka pingasut "my three children")

03

How and When: Right Before the Verb

A word that says how or how much usually stands right before the verb.

• Una tujuuluk assut kusagaara.

  I think this sweater is very beautiful. (assut "very" before the verb)

• Nalinginnaasumik unnukkut taartarpoq.

  At night it is usually dark.

04

Question Words First

• Suna tusarnaarpiuk?

  What are you listening to?

• Qanga pigami? Sumi pigami?

  When did it happen? Where did it happen?

05

Often Just One Word

Many sentences are a single word: the verb ending names both the subject and the object, and a noun can be built into the verb.

• Takusinnaanngilakkit.

  I can't see you.

• Ulloqeqqasiorpugut.

  We are eating lunch.