Hindi-Urdu Grammar - Syntax

Syntax

With regards to word order, Hindi-Urdu is an SOV language. In terms of branching, it is neither purely left- or right-branching, and phenomena of both types can be found. The order of constituents in sentences as a whole lacks governing "hard and fast rules", and frequent deviations can be found from normative word position, describable in terms of a small number of rules, accounting for facts beyond the pale of the label of "SOV".

1. Indirect objects precede direct objects.
2. Attributive adjectives precede the noun they qualify.
3. Adverbs precede the adjectives they qualify.
4. Negative markers (nahī̃, na, mat) and interrogatives precede the verb.
5. Interrogatives precede negative markers if both are present.
6. kyā ("what?") as the yes-no question marker occurs at the beginning of a clause.