WORD
ORDER
Modern Greek is a highly
flexible language when it comes to word order. The functions of the nouns are
very clear due to the morphological forms. In English, the position of the
nouns tells the listener what role the nouns play. Hence the strict rule of SVO
(subject-verb-object) does not apply to Greek. Depending on the word order, an
emphasis may arise for an idea in the sentence and of course, the positions of
adverbs can change the meaning of the sentence.
SVO and VSO are neutral word orders in Greek. They carry no emphasis. In the other four orders (SOV, OSV, OVS, VSO and VOS) the last idea in the sentence is the most emphasised. Verbally, the emphasis may be changed due to the raising of the speaker's voice. VSO is the order most commonly used to express a new idea in the conversation. If the object does not exist, the order of VS is more likely than SV-as is in English. The sentences below all translate to “Life is beautiful,” but with the emphasis on difference positions of the English sentence. The following sentences are equally questions as they are statements. Namely they could be translate as “Is life beautiful?”
1) SVO - η ζωή
είναι όμορφη.
2) SOV -
η ζωή όμορφη
είναι.
3) VSO - είναι η ζωή
όμορφη.
4) VOS - είναι
όμορφη η ζωή.
5) OVS - όμορφη
είναι η ζωή.
6) OSV - όμορφη η
ζωή είναι.
In direct and indirect
question clauses introduced by interrogative adverbs (interrogative pronouns
plus prepositions), SVO, VSO and VOS are all neutral. Typically, the verb comes
immediately after the interrogative word.
In direct and indirect
questions clauses introduced by interrogative pronouns, in which the
interrogative words is the subject or object of the verb, the verb must stand
immediately after the interrogative pronoun.