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Clause sequence ​

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Sequence (-n, clause only) ​

When English tells events in time order (and then), put ending -n on a clause join (/x/). Narrative and then is xan. Like every clause join, it goes between the clauses: A xan B xan C reads one step at a time. The clauses keep one speech act; this -n orders them rather than naming a person.

AgebenUseEnglishCue
xansequence addand then…a ≈ add
xensequence menuor maybe…; failing that…e ≈ choice
xunsequence denyand then not…u ≈ undo

zazozon vehohel xan zazozor vowurol.

[z-Azozon | v-sit | x-and-then | z-←Azozon | v-walk]

"Azozon sat, and then they walked."

Under /v/, /ɡ/, and /h/, a join word with -n names a list move instead.

Practice ​

Short drills for Beginner. Try each item before opening Show answer.

Setting: a stairwell

Review:

EnglishAgeben
Azozonazozon
Alazunalazun
Ahelanahelan
runveruvol
sitvehohel
punchvabuvul
screamveyamul

English → Ageben ​

1. Azozon runs, then Alazun sits.

Show answer

zazozon veruvol xan zalazun vehohel.

[z-Azozon | v-run | x-and-then | z-Alazun | v-sit]

2. Ahelan sits, then Azozon runs.

Show answer

zahelan vehohel xan zazozon veruvol.

[z-Ahelan | v-sit | x-and-then | z-Azozon | v-run]

3. Azozon punches, then Alazun screams.

Show answer

zazozon vabuvul xan zalazun veyamul.

[z-Azozon | v-punch | x-and-then | z-Alazun | v-scream]

Ageben → English ​

1. zahelan veyamul xan zalazun vabuvul.

Show answer

[z-Ahelan | v-scream | x-and-then | z-Alazun | v-punch]

Ahelan screams, then Alazun punches.

2. zazozon veruvol xan zalazun veruvol.

Show answer

[z-Azozon | v-run | x-and-then | z-Alazun | v-run]

Azozon runs, then Alazun runs.

3. zalazun vehohel xan zahelan veruvol.

Show answer

[z-Alazun | v-sit | x-and-then | z-Ahelan | v-run]

Alazun sits, then Ahelan runs.

Pick one ​

1. Azozon sits, then Ahelan punches. zazozon vehohel xan zahelan vabuvul. or zazozon vehohel xam zahelan vabuvul.

Show answer

zazozon vehohel xan zahelan vabuvul.

[z-Azozon | v-sit | x-and-then | z-Ahelan | v-punch]

-n orders the steps; xam adds a clause without saying which came first.

Fix it ​

1. Ahelan runs, then Alazun sits. zahelan veruvol xam zalazun vehohel.

Show answer

zahelan veruvol xan zalazun vehohel.

[z-Ahelan | v-run | x-and-then | z-Alazun | v-sit]

Narrative and then is -n on the clause join; xam adds a clause without ordering the steps.