Datapoint Nigerian Pidgin/Instrumental expressions

Instrumental relations are usually expressed by serialized verb constructions using the verb tek ‘take’. Less frequently, the secondary preposition wìt ‘with’ is also used for the same purpose. More rarely, a double object construction can express instrumentality as well.

Values

Serial verb Frequency: 68.2%

Example 17-106:
À tek nayf ko̱t nyam.
À
1sg.sbj
tek
take.ins
nayf
knife
ko̱t
cut
nyam.
yam
I cut the yams with a knife.

Source: Faraclas 1996: 75, 142

Confidence:
Very certain

Adposition Frequency: 22.7%

Example 17-107:
À ko̱t nyam wìt nayf.
À
1sg.sbj
ko̱t
cut
nyam
yam
wìt
ins
nayf.
knife
I cut the yams with a knife.

Source: Faraclas 1996: 75, 142

Confidence:
Very certain

Unmarked noun phrase Frequency: 9.1%

Example 17-108:
Ìm chuk mì nayf.
Ìm
3sg.sbj
chuk
pierce
mì
1sg.obj
nayf.
knife
S/he stabbed me with a knife.

Source: Faraclas 1996: 75, 142

Confidence:
Very certain