Native American languages * Native American art * Native Americans for kids

SOV Word Order (Subject-Object-Verb)

SOV is one of the six basic types of word order found in human languages. In most sentences, a speaker of an SOV language will put the subject first, the object second, and the verb last. So while an English speaker would say "Mary likes corn," an SOV language would express the same idea with the equivalent of "Mary corn likes."

Sponsored Links



SOV is a very common word order worldwide. Here is a partial list of Native American languages using SOV word order:

Abenaki Achuar Aguaruna Ahtna Aikana Akawaio Alabama Aleut Amahuaca Amarakaeri
Andoa Apache Apalachee Apinaye Arabela Araona Arikara Assiniboine Aymara Babine
Beaver Biloxi Bogota Bora Bororo Boruca Bribri Buglere Cabecar Cacua
Cahuilla Canamari Candoshi Capanahua Cara Carib Carrier Cashibo Cashinahua Catawba
Cayapa Chacobo Chayahuita Chemehuevi Cherokee Chichimec Chickasaw Chilcotin Chimariko Chipaya
Chipewyan Chitimacha Chitonahua Choctaw Cholon Chontaquiro Clatskanie Coconuco Comanche Crow
Cuaiquer Cuna Cupeno Damana Degexitan Dogrib Embera Esselen Eyak Galice
Gros Ventre Guahibo Guambiano Guanano Guayabero Gwich'in Haida Han Hidatsa Hitchiti
Hochunk Holikachuk Hopi Huachipaeri Hualapai Huambisa Hupa Ika Inuktitut Ioway
Irantxe Isconahua Jabuti Jaqaru Jebero Kaingang Kamayura Kansa Karipuna Kaska
Katukina Kaweskar Kaxarari Kayapo Kiliwa Kiowa Kitanemuk Koasati Kogui Koyukon
Kumeyaay Kunza Kuskokwim Lenca Maidu Mandan Maquiritari Maricopa Marubo Mastanahua
Matis Mattole Maxakali Mayoruna Mikasuki Mikmaq Miskito Mojave Mono Moronahua
Muinane Munduruku Muskogee Nambikwara Natchez Navajo Ngabere Nocaman Nukini Ocaina
Omaha-Ponca Opata Osage Pacahuara Paez Pai Paiute Panamint Panobo Pasto
Pawnee Pech Pima Bajo Piraha Piro Pisabo Pomo Poyanawa Quapaw Quechan
Quechua Rama Remo Resigaro Retuara Rikbaktsa Sanema Sarcee Sekani Sensi
Seri Serrano Shaninawa Sharanahua Shasta Shipibo Shoshone Shuar Sioux Siriano
Slavey Stoney Sumu Takelma Tanacross Tanaina Tanana Tarahumara Tariano Tatuyo
Tehuelche Telembi Tewa Timucua Tiwa Tlingit Tolowa Tol Tonkawa Totoro
Trumai Tsafiki Tsetsaut Tucano Tunica Tutchone Tutelo-Saponi Tututni Tuxinawa Tuyuca
Umpqua Ute Uwa Vilela Waica Wailaki Waorani Wappo Wari Washo
Waunana Wichita Witoto Xiriana Xokleng Yaghan Yaminawa Yanomamo Yaqui Yawanawa
Yine Yoranahua Yuchi Yuki Yupik Zuni        

Further Reading

 Wikipedia: Subject-object-verb
 Word Order Typology
 Basic Language Structures



Back to our Native American Indian definitions



Would you like to help support our organization's work with endangered American Indian languages?

Native Languages of the Americas website © 1998-2015 * Contacts and FAQ page