Qino: Difference between revisions

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Many nouns are by default unmarked for number. The singulative is formed with suffixes such as ''-sha, -ha, -ka, -icha, -eesha, -ocha,'' (masculine) or ''-ti, -itti, -eeti, -otti'' (feminine). The plural is formed with suffixes such as ''-oota, -ani, -aani, -eeni, -ooni, -eeCi, -ooCi, -eeya, -ooya, -iina'' and ''-aati''. Broken plurals are common in Arabic loanwords and are sometimes extended to other words.

The exact usage depends on the noun in question. When all three forms exist, the unmarked form is generally used with numerals and when number is not particularly important. The singulative and plural ~~are often~~ used ~~for emphasis or when number~~ is not clear from context. Multiple plural forms often exist.

The exact usage depends on the noun in question. When all three forms exist, the unmarked form is generally used with numerals, as a collective, and when number is not particularly important. The singulative is used to refer to a specific individual and the plural is used to emphasize the plurality (especially if it is not clear from context). Multiple plural forms often exist and ad-hoc forms are common.

Not every noun has all three forms. If there is no unmarked form, the singulative and plural are used for singular and plural respectively. Some uncountable nouns are always in the plural (pluralia tantum) - e.g. ''bisheeya'' "water".

Not every noun has all three forms. If there is no unmarked form, the singulative and plural are used for singular and plural respectively, but the singulative is used with numerals. Some uncountable nouns are always in the plural (pluralia tantum) - e.g. ''bisheeya'' "water".

If a noun has a different gender than the person it refers to, the noun takes articles according to its gender but verbs normally conjugate according to the gender of the person. Similarly, nouns that are unmarked for number take singular or plural forms depending on the referent. In formal language, however, the verb conjugates according to the gender and number of the noun. In both formal and colloquial language, plural nouns can either take plural or feminine singular verbal agreement.

If a noun has a different gender than the person it refers to, the noun takes articles according to its gender but verbs normally conjugate according to the gender of the person. Similarly, nouns that are unmarked for number take singular or plural forms depending on the referent. In very formal language, however, the verb conjugates according to the gender and number of the noun. In both formal and colloquial language, plural nouns can either take plural or feminine singular verbal agreement.

=====Some examples=====

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 Many nouns are by default unmarked for number. The singulative is formed with suffixes such as ''-sha, -ha, -ka, -icha, <!---ta, -->-eesha, -ocha,'' (masculine) or ''-ti, -itti, -eeti, -otti'' (feminine). The plural is formed with suffixes such as ''-oota, -ani, -aani, -eeni, -ooni, -eeCi, -ooCi, -eeya, -ooya, -iina'' and ''-aati''. Broken plurals are common in Arabic loanwords and are sometimes extended to other words.
-The exact usage depends on the noun in question. When all three forms exist, the unmarked form is generally used with numerals and when number is not particularly important. The singulative and plural are often used for emphasis or when number is not clear from context. Multiple plural forms often exist.
+The exact usage depends on the noun in question. When all three forms exist, the unmarked form is generally used with numerals, as a collective, and when number is not particularly important. The singulative is used to refer to a specific individual and the plural is used to emphasize the plurality (especially if it is not clear from context). Multiple plural forms often exist and ad-hoc forms are common.
-Not every noun has all three forms. If there is no unmarked form, the singulative and plural are used for singular and plural respectively. Some uncountable nouns are always in the plural (pluralia tantum) - e.g. ''bisheeya'' "water".
+Not every noun has all three forms. If there is no unmarked form, the singulative and plural are used for singular and plural respectively, but the singulative is used with numerals. Some uncountable nouns are always in the plural (pluralia tantum) - e.g. ''bisheeya'' "water".
-If a noun has a different gender than the person it refers to, the noun takes articles according to its gender but verbs normally conjugate according to the gender of the person. Similarly, nouns that are unmarked for number take singular or plural forms depending on the referent. In formal language, however, the verb conjugates according to the gender and number of the noun. In both formal and colloquial language, plural nouns can either take plural or feminine singular verbal agreement.
+If a noun has a different gender than the person it refers to, the noun takes articles according to its gender but verbs normally conjugate according to the gender of the person. Similarly, nouns that are unmarked for number take singular or plural forms depending on the referent. In very formal language, however, the verb conjugates according to the gender and number of the noun. In both formal and colloquial language, plural nouns can either take plural or feminine singular verbal agreement.
 =====Some examples=====