linguistic:translation, stylistic:tone
Verb serialization

Igbo permits verb serialization, which is used extensively to compensate for its paucity of prepositions. Among the meaning types commonly expressed in serial verb constructions are instruments, datives, accompaniment, purpose, and manner. (13) and (14) below illustrate instrumental and dative verb series, respectively:

Ọ

3sg

nà-èji

AUX - PREF -use

mmà

knife

à-bacha

PREF -peel

jī.

yam

Ọ nà-èji mmà à-bacha jī.

3sg AUX-PREF-use knife PREF-peel yam

'He peels yams with a knife.'

Ọ

3sg

zụ̀-tà-rà

buy- SUFF - PRF

akwụkwọ

book

nye

give

m̄.

1sg

Ọ zụ̀-tà-rà akwụkwọ nye m̄.

3sg buy-SUFF-PRF book give 1sg

'He bought a book and gave it to me.'