>> ZG·Lingua >  >> Theoretical Linguistics >> Morphology

What does the suffix -eth mean?

The suffix "-eth" is a third-person singular present tense ending in Old English.

Here's a breakdown:

* Third-person singular: Refers to a single person or thing not the speaker or listener (he, she, it).

* Present tense: Describes an action happening now.

* Old English: The language spoken in England from roughly the 5th to the 12th centuries.

Examples:

* "He loveth" (Old English for "He loves")

* "She writeth" (Old English for "She writes")

* "It shineth" (Old English for "It shines")

Modern English:

The "-eth" ending is largely obsolete in modern English, replaced by the simpler "-s" ending.

* "He loves"

* "She writes"

* "It shines"

However, you may still see "-eth" in:

* Poetry: Used for archaic effect or to mimic Old English style.

* Religious texts: Some translations of the Bible retain the "-eth" ending.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Copyright © www.zgghmh.com ZG·Lingua All rights reserved.