Dictionary Definition
inchoative adj : beginning to develop;
"inchoative stages" [syn: formative]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Pronunciation
(US:)- IPA: /ɪnˈkoʊətɪv/
Adjective
inchoative- at the beginning,
still in an unformed
state
- 1858: Thomas Carlyle, History Of Friedrich II Of Prussia - Our first Piece is of Winter, or late Autumn, 1771,--while the solution of the Polish Business is still in its inchoative stages;...
- aspectually indicating that an action is soon to begin
- Some languages with the inchoative aspect use the same inflection for the inceptive aspect. The inchoative aspect is often translated into English by "to be about [to do something]". See the Wikipedia article on inchoative aspect.
- inflected in or relating to the inchoative aspect
Related terms
Extensive Definition
The term inchoative is often confused with
inceptive. Inceptive is a phasal aspect that is normally associated
with the inception, or beginning of an action. Inchoative on the
other hand, refers to a verbal, nominal or adjectival category that
describes entering into a state. Some languages have inchoative
denominalizing suffixes that, when applied to a noun N, derive a
verb that means to become an N. When applied to an adjective A, the
resulting verb means to take on the property A. Often, inchoative
suffixes can also be attached to stative verbs (V) to derive a new
verb that means enter into the state of V, e.g., know-INCHOATIVE
would mean come to know, or meet. This usage borders on the
function of inceptive aspect, and is, therefore the source of the
inceptive/inchoative confusion. Inceptive aspect markers can occur
on any kind of verb, stative or dynamic, and are not, generally,
uses as denominalizers. Inchoative markers, on the other hand, do
not normally function with dynamic verbs, and are often also
denominalizers.
The term Inchoative verb is used by generative
grammarians to refer to a class of verbs that reflect a change
of state. e.g., John aged or The fog cleared.
See also
inchoative in German: Inchoativ
inchoative in French: Aspect inchoatif
inchoative in Swedish:
Inkoativ