li: Difference between revisions

The word {{tp|li}} is derived from the {{w|Esperanto}} third-person singular pronoun ''{{lang|eo|li}}''.<ref>{{cite etym}}</ref>

When the subject is anything other than the words {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}} alone, it is separated by {{tp|li}}, including when they are acting as a [[modifier]] in a noun phrase.

The book {{lipu pu|en}} says that when multiple predicates are applied to {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}}, a new sentence should start.<ref>{{cite pu|56}}</ref>

{{Example|mi toki. mi moku.|I speak and eat.}}

{{Example|mi moku li toki.|I eat and speak.}}

{{Example|mi moku li toki.|The food-related me is talking.}}

==Dropping after {{tp|mi}} and {{tp|sina}}==

{{Needs work|move [[mi li and sina li#Why no li?|{{tp|mi li}} and {{tp|sina li}} § Why no {{tp|li}}?]] to this section|section}}

Learners sometimes wonder why {{tp|li}} gets added for everything else, but not for {{tp|mi}} and {{tp|sina}}. Because the underlying confusion, or curiosity, can have different causes, there are many possible answers.

Etymologically speaking, {{tp|li}} is a third-person marker, derived from Esperanto, and it functions similarly to the {{w|Tok Pisin}} particle ''{{lang|tpi|i}}'', which introduces the verb except when the subject is the first- or second-person singular pronouns.<ref name="franklin1980"/><ref name="tung2014"/><ref name="verhaar1991"/>

It is commonly analysed that there is a "hidden" {{tp|li}} after {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}}.