Datapoint Nigerian Pidgin/‘Take’ serial verb constructions

In serialized verb constructions, the verb tek ‘take’ is very frequently used with an object to refer to the theme, the instrument, or the setting of the event referred to by the following verb(s) in the series.

Values

Theme of the second verb, literal interpretation possible Frequency: 35.0%

Example 17-146:
À tek nayf giv yù.
À
1sg.sbj
tek
take.ins
nayf
knife
giv
give
yù.
2sg.obj
I gave you the knife.

Source: Faraclas 1996: 75-80, 141-150

Confidence:
Very certain

Instrument of the second verb, with resumptive pronoun Frequency: 25.0%

Example 17-148:
Ìm tek nayf chuk mì fò̱r ay wìt-am.
Ìm
3sg.sbj
tek
take.ins
nayf
knife
chuk
pierce
mì
1sg.obj
fò̱r
prep
ay
eye
wìt-am.
prep.ins-3sg.obj
S/he stabbed me in the eye with a knife.

Source: Faraclas 1996: 75-80, 141-150

Confidence:
Very certain

Instrument of the second verb, no resumptive pronoun Frequency: 25.0%

Example 17-42:
Ìm tek nayf chuk mì fò̱r ay.
Ìm
3sg.sbj
tek
take.ins
nayf
knife
chuk
pierce
mì
1sg.obj
fò̱r
prep
ay.
eye
S/he stabbed me in the eye(s) with a knife.

Source: Faraclas 1996: 75-80, 141-150

Confidence:
Very certain

Theme of the second verb, literal interpretation impossible Frequency: 15.0%

Example 17-147:
À gò tek midnayt du-am.
À
1sg.sbj
gò
irr
tek
take
midnayt
midnight
du-am.
do-3sg.obj
I will do it at midnight.

Source: Faraclas 1996: 75-80, 141-150

Confidence:
Very certain