Datapoint Papiamentu/Tightness of the link between the past marker and the verb
Maurer (1988) characterizes preverbal tabata as an imperfective anterior tense marker, others refer to it as an imperfective past tense marker. It need not be adjacent to the verb, allowing separation, for instance by the intervention of a modal or an adverbial. More generally, TAM material may be separated from the verb in this manner, as also illustrated here for preverbal ta. Muller (1983: 48) mentions djis 'just' and blo 'just, continually' as elements which can be placed between a particle and a verb. Note though that Muller goes on to argue that blo has verb status - but it is possible instead to argue that the verb blo (appear suddenly) and adverb blo are separate lexical entries.
Values 
Particle, a few lexical items may intervene
- Example 47-89:
-
Wenchi tabata blo pensa riba Chalito.WenchiWenchitabatapstblojustpensathinkribaonChalito.ChalitoWenchi thought only of Chalito.
Source: Maurer 1988: 52
- Example 47-88:
-
E tabata sa bini seka nos tur día.E3sgtabatapstsaablebinicomesekaatnos1pltureverydía.dayHe came by us every day.
Source: Maurer 1988: 123
- Confidence:
- Very certain