Edo Grammar
Edo Grammar
We may define a word as the minimal independent linguistic unit which has an identifiable
meaning or a grammatical function. Words have specific phonological shapes , but this could
change to reflect its structural position in a sentence, as shown in examples 1 and 2 . The change
in form could also be for reasons such as transitivity and agreement.
1. I khẹẹ ọzọ ‘ i am waiting for ozo.’
2. Ọzọ khẹẹ mwẹ. ‘ ọzọ is waiting for me .’
3. Orumwu de fua vbe okhuae ‘ a pear fell out of the basket’
4. Orumwu dele kua vbe okhuae ‘ some pears fell out of the basket’
5. Osarẹtin dee ‘ osarẹtin is coming ‘
6. Osarẹtin di ugbo-ọka ‘ osarẹtin is coming to the maize farm’
Observe the forms did not change completely and the meanings remains constant. So one can
establish a relationship between dẹ and dele, fua and kua, as well as dee and di. This
similarity in form and meaning is not always obvious. Take for example plural nouns in the
ẹdo language:
7.ogie ‘king’ igiẹ ‘ kings ‘
8. Ọmwa ‘ person ‘ emwa ‘ persons’
9. Ọvbokhan ‘ child’ ibiẹka ‘ children’
10. Ovbiokuo ‘soldier’ ovbiokuo ‘ soldiers ‘
*Examples:
Kun, khiẹn,giẹ
How about this we use these examples to form a semtence
Rhie ekadi na gie edọkita ( uta = rhie)
Rhulẹ ẹsẹse (uta= rhulẹ)
Rri evbare ẹgiẹgiẹ (uta =rri from re. To eat )
*Conjunctions
Definition: Conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses together, showing
relationships between them. E.g re , kevbe .
- Types:
- Coordinating conjunctions (connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance)
- And (e.g., I like reading books and watching movies.)
- Or (e.g., Do you want to go to the beach or the park?)
- But (e.g., I wanted to go to the party, but I was too tired.)
- So (e.g., I’m tired, so I’m going to bed.)
- Yet (e.g., I’m tired, yet I still need to finish my work.)
- Subordinating conjunctions (connect a dependent clause to an independent clause)
- Because (e.g., I went to the store because I needed milk.)
- Since (e.g., I’ve been busy since morning.)
- After (e.g., I’ll go to bed after I finish my book.)
- Although (e.g., I wanted to go to the party, although I was tired.)
- Unless (e.g., I won’t go to the party unless you come with me.)
- Until (e.g., I’ll wait until you’re ready.)
- While (e.g., I’m studying while my friend is watching TV.)
- Functions:
- Connect ideas
- Show relationships (addition, contrast, cause and effect, time, condition)
- Introduce clauses or phrases
- Examples:
- I like reading books, and my sister likes watching movies. (coordinating)
- I went to the store because I needed milk. (subordinating)
- I’ll go to bed after I finish my book. (subordinating)