Datapoint Lingala/Applicative constructions
One of the other functions of the applicative, albeit a rare one, is the expression of use of an instrument. This only occurs when there is no risk of ambiguity, i.e. when the complement cannot be interpreted as beneficiary.
A:O-zw-í mbelí pó na níni?
[2SG-fetch-PRS.PRF knife for to what]
'Why have you taken the knife?'
B:Na-kát-él-í yangó nyama
[1SG-cut-APPL-PRS.PRF 3SG.INAN meat]
'I’ve used it to cut the meat'
Mbelí óyo na-kát-él-í lípa, e-zal-í mo-néne
[knife REL 1SG-cut-APPL-PRS.PRF bread, 3SG.INAN-be-PRS.PRF SG-big]
'The knife with which I’ve cut the bread, is big'
Values 
Benefactive and other functions
- Example 60-127:
-
aponákí elambá > aponélákí ngáí elambáa-pon-ákí3sg-choose-pstelambácloth>>a-pon-él-ákí3sg-choose-appl-pstngáí1sgelambáclothHe chose a cloth. > He chose a cloth for me.
- Example 60-128:
-
afá́ndákí > afándélákí kítia-fá́nd-ákí3sg-sit-pst>>a-fánd-él-ákí3sg-sit-appl-pstkítichairHe sat down. > He sat down on a chair.
- Confidence:
- Very certain