IGBO LANGUAGE STUDIES, Vol 1.

(2015)

VERBS OF QUALITY IN IGBO: A SEMANTIC AND MORPHO-SYNTACTIC

CHARACTERIZATION

Chikelu Ihunanya Ezenwafor Chibunma Amara Ezenwafor

Laboratorio di Linguistica Department of Linguistics
Scuola Normale Superiore Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education
Pisa, Italy Owerri, Nigeria
chikelu.ezenwafor@sns.it bunma4real@yahoo.com

Abstract
This paper examines the semantic and morpho-syntactic characterization of the verbs of quality in
Igbo. It adopts the lexical semantic classes proposed by Dixon (2004) and a set of defining morpho-
syntactic characteristics proposed by Elders et al (2009) in their typological study of quality verbs in
African languages. A total of sixteen verbs are used for this study and are further classified into
various semantic types. A set of semantic features such as semantic intransitivity, high possibility of
'antonymicity', correlation with a question proform, stative reading,etc. are relevant in determining
prototypical verbs of quality. Out of the thirteen semantic types proposed by Dixon (2004), only five
seem applicable to the Igbo verbs of quality. In relation to temporal reference (tense), Igbo verbs of
quality only denote a present meaning using the -rv suffix. This suffix is differentiated from the -rv
suffix that denotes past tense in active verbs. The morphemic shape of this subset of verb is posited as
cv+rv in written form but cv+v especially in spoken form. The Tbus of both structures are assigned
LL tones. Unlike some languages where the comparative and superlative marker(s) are associated
with the adjectival verbs, it is observed that these marker(s) though highly applicable, are not
exclusive features of Igbo verbs of quality since they could be applied to as many verbs as possible in
Igbo.

1.0 Introduction

In many languages of the world, the verbal category falls into distinct semantic classes. Distinction is
made on the basis semantic characterization between different verb types such as experiential,
locative, psychological , motion, quality verbs etc. Another common distinction made of verbs is in
distinguishing the active from the stative verbs. This paper focuses on a subset of stative verbs often
described as verbs of quality. A common feature of these verbs is their ability to denote property
concepts just like adjectives. A cross linguistic study of property concepts across languages show that
they are often denoted by the adjectival class. There are however some languages where these
concepts are not coded just by the adjectival class but by nouns and verbs alike.

In Igbo, few property concepts are expressed by a small adjectival class while a large number of these
concepts are expressed by the verb category. Uwalaka (1988) identifies a subset of stative verbs that
serves this purpose in a variety of Igbo and analyses such as verbs of quality. Nwachukwu (1984) in
his article on stative verbs investigates the category of verbs associated with expressing adjectival
meanings though he does not use the term 'quality' in his description.

This paper employs the use of formal morpho-syntactic and semantic criteria identified in some
African languages as defining features of verbs of quality. Two of such features are temporal
reference, stative reading of the verb etc. We seek to identify the set of criteria that delimit the verbs
of quality in Igbo. Since property concepts are coded mainly by verbs of quality in Igbo, an attempt is
made at a classification of this subset of verbs into different lexical semantic classes in accordance
with their meaning. We examine the extent to which these verbs represent the semantic
categories/classes proposed by Dixon (2004). These semantic classes which are typically associated

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with adjectives but with verbs in some African languages like Igbo include dimension, age, value,
colour, physical property, human propensity etc.

In the subsequent section (2.0), relevant literature will be reviewed. In 3.0, we present our theoretical
framework followed by the presentation and analysis of data in section 4.0. We conclude with our
findings in section 5.0.

2.0 Remarks on Property Concepts

The term 'property concept' was used by Thomas (1988) for the prototypical domain of adjectives.
Property concept words express semantic types that are related with qualities ascribed basically to
nouns. The expression of these semantic types varies cross linguistically. They could be coded using
the categories verb, noun or adjective. Beck (2000) observes that property concept words show a great
deal of intra linguistic and cross linguistic variation in their syntactic behaviour and it is not always
possible to predict their lexical classification in a given language from their meaning. In many
languages of the world, property concepts are coded by the adjectival class. Thus, Dixon (2004)
suggests that the word class 'adjective' is language universal. On the contrary, Beck (2000) from a
cross linguistic investigation notes that the adjectival class is not prevalent in all languages. While
nouns and verbs appear to be essentially universal, languages that have few or no adjectives are a
typological common place. In Lao, a South Western language studied by Enfield (2004), argument is
made for a subset of verbs for the adjectival class. In a schematic representation of verb types in Lao,
he groups the adjectival class of verbs as a subtype of verb denotes property concepts. He further
illustrates with the following examples:

1. Man suung boo

3sg tall PCL
Is he tall?

2. Khon sung-suung meeni qaaj khooj

person REDUP-tall be o BRO ISG
The tallish person is my brother
The defining properties of this subset of verbs include reduplication, evidence of comparative and
superlative constructions etc. Elders et al (2009) in their questionnaire on African languages observe
that in quite a few of the, property concepts are expressed using lexical items that are clearly verbal in
character. In Kulango language, derived adjectives are almost exclusively derived from a subset of
stative verbs (verbs of quality).
Example: bśś-ru 'black' (singular animate)
bśś-ku 'black' (singular non human)
bii 'be black'
Culled from Elders et al (2009)
They explain that adjectives are formed by the addition of a noun class suffix to a stem together with
the nominal tone pattern high...final low tone. Schater (1985) observe that in Bemba, human
propensity as a semantic type of property concepts like strong, brave and wise are expressed by the
verbs ashikpa, akosa, and accenjela. In a typological study, Dixon (1982) equally illustrates with some
African languages like Venda (a Bantu language), Igbo etc. that there seems to be a limited or
restricted use of prototypical adjectives in coding property concepts. In Venda, twenty out of the
many property concepts are realised as adjectives. Igbo just like Venda has even a more restricted use
of adjectives in coding property concepts. Emenanjo (1978) identifies only six true adjectives in most
dialects of Igbo. They include:

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3a) ọcha 'white'

b) oji 'black'
c) ọma 'good'
d) ajọ/ọjọọ 'bad'
e) ukwu 'big'
f) nta 'small'
Dixon (1982) adds two extra adjectives to this restricted list;
g) ochie 'old'
h) ọhụrụ 'new'
He postulates that the remaining set of DAVC meanings are not expressed as adjectives but could be
divided up between the lexical classes of verbs and nouns.
In Igbo therefore, it seems evident that there are other means of expressing property concepts or
adjectival meanings. A subset of stative verbs is used to complement the function of these few
adjectives. This subtype of verbs could be termed quality verbs or verbs of quality.

2.1 Verbs of Quality in Igbo

Nwachukwu (1984) in his study of stative verbs in Igbo recognizes a subset of stative verbs (inherent
complement verbs) which are used to express adjectival meanings. He observes that a large number of
such verbs are immediately followed by a nominal complement which specifies their meaning. Also,
Uwalaka (1988) in her semantic classification of verbs in Igbo identifies the verbs of quality. Quoting
her, "Verbs of quality describe neither process nor action ; rather they ascribe to their subject NP
some quality or characteristic". Similarly, Elders et al (2009) define quality verbs as a subtype of verb
referring to properties and qualities which are prototypically associated with adjectives. They list a
number of features associated with verbs of quality in quite a number of African languages. Cross
linguistically, they observe that verbs of quality represent a subset of verbs that have a stative reading
(no change of state) and are assigned the semantic feature [-dynamic]. In other words, the semantic
and morpho-syntactic characterization of verbs of quality in languages vary.
Thirty eight verbs have been identified as inherent verbs of quality in Igbo. Nwachukwu (1983)
identifies twenty four verbs belonging to this class while Uwalaka (1988) identifies fourteen. They
include:
ịcha ụcha 'to be fair complexioned'
iji nji 'to be dark complexioned'
ipe mpe 'to be small'
ibu ibu 'to be fat'
ịfụ ụfụ 'to be painful'
ịcha (acha) 'to be ripe'
ịka (aka) 'to be ripe/mature'
ito ogologo 'to be tall'
iju (eju) 'to be full'
ịma mma 'to be beautiful'
ịjọ njọ 'to be ugly'
ịkụ ilu 'to be bitter'
ịtọ ụtọ 'to be tasty or sweet'
ịkpọ nkụ 'to be dry'
ire (ere) 'to be rotten'
iru unyi 'to be dirty or defiled'
ichi nti 'to be deaf'
ịda ogbu 'to be dumb'

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ịrụ ụkwụ 'to be deformed'

ịgba awhọ ọnụ 'to be bearded'
ịkwọcha isi 'to be bald'
ịkpụ isi 'to be blind'
ịpị anya 'to be one eyed'
ịda ngworo 'to be lame'
ịda mba 'to be weak with hunger'
ịgbashị ike 'to be stong'
ịda ọnụ 'to be expensive'
ịkọ ụkọ 'to be scarce'
ịba ụba 'to be rich/ be plentiful'
ịba eze 'to be rich/wealthy'
Note that some of the verbs in the above list are purely dialectical.
Another means of expressing adjectival meaning in Igbo could be with the use of the copula 'di'
(Nwachukwu 1984). The thrust of this paper however is the use of inherent verbs of quality to express
adjectival meaning in Igbo. In Uwalaka's (1988) study of inherent verbs of quality in Uzunoji dialect
of Igbo, the following defining features are identified:
i) The questioning proform for verbs of quality. For eg.
5) O nu/di ole ethu?
NP (he/she/it) is how
How is NP?
ii) Possibility of inherent verbs of quality to occur in a form unmarked for tense/aspect or take the -rv
assertive suffix when these verbs are associated with a present meaning and a past meaning when they
occur with lengthened vowel. Examples:
6a) Ada mā/marà̃ mmā
Ada be beautiful -rv (assertive) beauty
'Ada is beautiful'
6b) Ada maarã mma
Ada be beautiful-rv (assertive) beauty
-rv (past)
'Ada was beautiful'
7a) Adha jọ/jọrọ njọ
Adha be ugly -rv(assertive) ugliness
'Ada is ugly'
7b) Adha jọọrọ njọ
Adha be ugly -rv assertive -rv past ugliness
'Ada was ugly'
Uwalaka (1988:181) explains that this subtype of verb has subtle tense and aspect requirement. In
addition to expressing a present meaning as illustrated in (1a) and (2a), the verb forms in (1b) and (2b)
occur with a lengthened vowel that express past meaning. In other words, some verbs of quality can
express both present and past meanings.
iii) The semantic interpretation of the NPs which could occur with verbs of quality as attribuand NP,
and experience NP's. While the attribuand (subj NP) is obligatory, the experience NP is not. Example:
8) Uwe keè ma/marã Adha mmā
Att/C E/P-Att
dress this be beautiful -rv Adha beauty
'This dress is pleasing to Adha'
'This dress makes Adha look beautiful'

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3.0 Theoretical Framework

There are some semantic types that are typologically associated with the adjectival class. Dixon
(2004:3) lists thirteen semantic types that are typical features of the adjectival class. These include:
DIMENSION- big, small, long, tall, short etc.
AGE- new, young, old etc.
VALUE- good, bad, ugly
COLOUR- black, white, red etc.
PHYSICAL PROPERTY - hard, soft, heavy, wet etc.
HUMAN PROPENSITY- jealous, happy, kind, clever etc.
DIFFICULTY - easy, difficult, tough, hard, simple etc.
SIMILARITY - like, unlike, similar, different etc.
QUALIFICATION - definite, possible, true, usual, normal etc.
QUANTIFICATION - all, whole, many, some, few etc.
POSITION - high, low, near, far, right, left etc.
CARDINAL NUMBERS - first, last etc.
Dixon (2004) analyses the first four (DAVC) as the core semantic types and the following two as
peripheral semantic types. The core and peripheral semantic types are typically associated with both
small and large adjective classes. He explains that in Igbo, the six classes of adjectives align with the
four core semantic types. Since most property concepts in Igbo are expressed using inherent quality
verbs, this paper adopts the semantic classification of Dixon (2004) in grouping the Igbo verbs of
quality into specific semantic types. We ascertain which of the semantic categories are coded by this
subset of verbs and the ones that are not.
For this work, the questionnaire on quality verbs in African languages by Elders et al (2009) is
adopted. We attempt to characterize the verbs of quality in relation with the following semantic and
morpho-syntactic features: temporal reference, stative reading, evidence of comparative and
superlative markers typical of adjectives or adjectival verbs etc.

4.0 Semantic Characterization of Verbs of Quality

As noted earlier, property concepts are coded by verbs of quality in Igbo, making up for the
limitedness of the adjectival class in Igbo. In this section, we shall focus on establishing peculiar
semantic criteria that distinguishes such class of verbs in Igbo. The following questions are therefore
pertinen: are there peculiar features shared by the verbs in this group? If there are, do these features
make them any different from other semantic verb classes? Do these set of verbs share any similarity
with the adjectival class considering their complementary role? Finally, we would attempt to classify
these verbs into different semantic types, ascertaining how they fit into Dixon's (2004) proposed
semantic types for adjectives. This is of course bearing in mind their capacity to code property
concepts as would adjectives in some other languages.
Following the semantic criteria articulated below, we adopt sixteen sample verbs for our study. The
semantic criteria for determining verbs of quality could be summarised thus:
 Ability to express a certain property or quality of an NP (noun, pronoun)
 Semantic implication of stativity (stative reading) in contrast with active verbs
 Correlation with the questioning proform of 'How is NP'? - 'Ọ di ole otu'? originally proposed
by Uwalaka (1988)
 Semantic intransitivity
 Occurrence with comparative and superlative markers
 High semantic possibility of antonymy

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The following verb samples are analysed for this purpose:

ịtọ ụtọ 'to be sweet/tasty'
ịjọ njọ 'to be ugly'
ilu ilu 'to be bitter'
ịta ahụ 'to be thin'
ibu ibu 'to be fat'
ịpe mpe 'to be small'
ịma mma 'to be beautiful'
iji oji 'to be dark/black'
ito ogologo 'to be tall'
ịkọ ụkọ 'to be scarce'
ịcha ọcha 'to be fair'
ịza aza 'to be swollen'
ịba ụba 'to be wealthy/plentiful'
iru unyi 'to be dirty'
ịcha acha 'to be ripe'
ịfụ ụfụ 'to be painful'
They are further illustrated using the following constructions:
9) Ada jọ-rọ njọ
Ada be ugly -rv(stative) ugliness
Ada is ugly
10) Ada ma-ra mma
Ada be beautiful -rv(stative) beauty
Ada is beautiful
11) O pe-re mpe
3sg be small -rv(stative) smallness
He is small
12) O to-ro ogologo
3sg be tall -rv(stative) tallness
He is tall
13) O bu-ru ibu
3sg be fat -rv(stative) fatness
He is fat
14) Ọ ta-ra ahụ
3sg be thin -rv(stative) body
He is thin
15) Nne m na-acha ocha
mother poss aux-be fair fairness
My mother is fair (in complexion)
16) Nne m na-eji oji
mother poss aux-be black/dark blackness
My mother is dark (in complexion)
17) Ejula kọ-rọ ụkọ n'ahia
snail be scarce -rv(stative) scarcity in market
Snail is scarce in the market
18) Ejula ba-ra ụba n'ahia
snail be plentiful -rv(stative) plenty in market
Snail is plentiful in the market

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19) Mpuru osisi a tọ-rọ ụtọ

seed stick det be sweet -rv(stative) sweetness
This fruit is sweet
20) Mkpuru osisi a lu-ru ilu
seed stick det be bitter -rv(stative) bitterness
This fruit is bitter
21) Ukwu m za-ra aza
leg poss be swell -rv(stative) swell
My leg is swollen
22) Akwa egwu ru-ru unyi
cloth dance poss be dirty -rv(stative) dirt
Our dancing clothes are dirty
23) Mgbomgbo a cha-ra acha
paw-paw det be ripe -rv(stative) ripe
This paw-paw is ripe
24) Utari a fụrụ m ụfụ
cane det be painful -rv(stative) me pain
This cane is painful (to me)
Observe from the above examples that all the verbs denote property concepts such as beauty, ugliness,
height (tall/short), size (fat/thin), colour (fair/dark), etc. with the first twelve examples occurring as
antonymic pairs. Note however that despite the high possibility of 'antonymicity', all verbs of quality
need not necessarily exist with a direct opposite pair. In example (22), the verb iru unyi has a likely
antonymic pair in the form of 'ocha' which functions more like the complement of a predicate
construction like 'Akwa m di ọcha' 'My cloth is clean'. As Nwachukwu (1984) rightly points out,
'different adjectival meanings are coded also in Igbo using the predicate 'di' with the relevant nominal
complements'. Examples (21) and (23) have no corresponding quality verbs as direct opposites. This
though does not reduce their capacity to function as quality verbs. Thus, unlike other semantic verb
types, most verbs of quality have a high possibility of existing with antonymic pairs just like the few
adjectives in Igbo. Another glaring feature of this subset of verbs is their stative reading marked by
the -rv stative suffix. This is in contrast with active verbs where this same marker expresses the past
tense rather than stativity. One of their (verbs of quality) points of divergence with other stative verbs
is their ability to code or denote arrays of qualities possessed by an NP. This is depicted in the
following example:
25) Ada mara mma
Ada is beautiful
26) Ada huru m n'anya
Ada loves me
Note that while both verbs have a stative reading, example (25) describes an inherent feature or
quality of the subject NP, whereas example (26) denotes a state that is binding on the two NPs
involved ie the subject and object NPs. The verb could be however be reconstructed in some way to
portray the subject NP 'Ada as a possessor of the 'quality of love' read. For eg. Ada nwere ihụnanya
'Ada has love'. This of course would be far from being prototypical with the verb ihu n'anya taking a
nominalised form as a quality possessed by the NP. Verbs of quality could also be used in similar
structures ie, a structure involving two NPs but with different semantic implication. Examples:
27) Akwa a mara m mma
cloth det be beautiful me beauty
This cloth is good on me

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28) Mpụrụ osisi a tọrọ m ụtọ

seed stick det be sweet me sweetness
This fruit is sweet to me
In examples (27) and (28), observe that the emphasis is not on the inherent property of the subject NP
but rather on its relationship or effect on the object NP 'me' as an experiencer. While the subject NP is
obligatory, the object NP (the object pronoun 'me') is non obligatory. By implication, verbs of quality
are semantically intransitive, requiring basically a subject NP.
Next, we turn to the questioning proform proposed by Uwalaka (1988); How is NP? - Ọ di ole otu.
For this paper, we adopt the standard version/equivalent as 'Kedu ka O di' which has the same English
translation as the dialectical variant of Uwalaka. Note that the NP represented by the 3sg pronoun
could mark both animate and inanimate NPs. The already stated examples (9-23) could therefore be
elicited as answers to question proforms. Below are few examples:
29) Kedu ka Ada di? Ada mara mma
How is Ada? Ada is beautiful
30) Kedu ka nne Ada di? Nne Ada na-acha ọcha
How is Ada's mother? Ada's mother is fair in complexion
31) Kedu ka ụkwụ gi di? Ukwu m zara aza
How is your leg? My leg is swollen
32) Kedu ka ejula di n'ahia? Ejula kọrọ ụkọ n'ahia
How is snail in the market Snail is scarce in the market
The above elicitation contrasts with activity verbs that correspond to the likely question proform
'What is the NP doing'?. Other stative verbs equally fail to correspond to this test, thus further
differentiating them from verbs of quality. The last criterion(occurrence with comparative and
superlative marker) is better handled in section 4.2.
Out of the thirteen semantic categories proposed by Dixon (2004), only five seem applicable to Igbo
verbs of quality. By extension, we attempt a semantic classification of verbs of quality into different
semantic categories as originally proposed by Dixon for the adjectival class. Consider the table below:
Table 1 Semantic classes
Dimension Age Value Colour Physical properties
ịpe mpe ịma mma ịcha ọcha ịfụ ụfụ
ibu ibu ịjọ njọ iji oji iza aza
ito ogologo ịba ụba ịcha acha
ịta ahụ ịkọ ụkọ iru unyi
ilu ilu
ịtọ ụtọ

Observe from the table that verbs of quality fall into two major semantic classes: the core semantic
type and the peripheral semantic type. The core semantic type comprises DAVC ie dimension, age,
value, and colour. None of our verb samples however, represents te semantic type 'age'. The
peripheral semantic type on the other hand comprises just one semantic category: physical properties.
Dixon (2004) explains that all pure adjectives in Igbo are grouped under the core semantic (DAVC).
In the table, it can be deduced that the verbs are more inclined to the core semantic type than the
peripheral. Four verbs are assigned the semantic feature [+dimension], six verbs are assigned the
feature [+value], two are assigned the feature [+colour], while four verbs are assigned the feature
[+physical properties] .

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4.1 Morpho-syntactic Characterization of Verbs of Quality

In this section, we examine the verbs of quality in Igbo in relation with their morphemic structure in
the spoken and written forms, temporal reference, and comparative/superlative constructions.
Temporal distinction in relation with tense and aspect is often associated with the verbal category. It
seems that that the verbs of quality in Igbo can assume different forms. We first consider the structure
of this subset of verb in simple form. Consider the following examples:
33) Obi buu/bu-ru ibu
Obi be-fat -rv suff fat
Obi is fat
34) Mgbomgbo a cha-ra acha
paw-paw det be ripe -rv suff ripe
This pear is ripe
35) Akwa m ruu/ru-ru unyi
cloth poss be dirty -rv suff dirt
My cloth is dirty
36) Obi pee/pe-re mpe
Obi be small -rv suff smallness
Obi is small
37) Nne m taa/ta-ra ahụ
mother poss be thin -rv suff body
My mother is thin
38) Oroma a tọọ/tọ-rọ ụtọ
orange det be sweet -rv suff sweetness
This orange is sweet
Examples (33-38) give us the basic morphemic structure of verbs of quality as cv+rv. They could also
assume the structure cv+v especially in the spoken form. Note that the two forms are realised with the
same tone pattern (LL). It is possible that the structure cv+v is obtained as a result of an optional
elision in speech or deletion rule where the 'r' of the -rv suffix is deleted. The latter structure (cv+v)
should not be confused with the imperative form of some verbs in Igbo that seem to have similar
structure. They could be distinguished on the basis of their tonal pattern. While the optional form for
verbs of quality is assigned a LL tone, the structure for the imperative is assigned a LH tone. This
optional form for verbs of quality could equally be applicable to other subsets of verb in Igbo.
The verbs illustrated above occur with an -rv suffix which denotes a present meaning. Note that the -
rv suffix occurring with this subset of verbs by no means denote a past meaning as observable with
activity verbs in Igbo (standard). Though Uwalaka (1988) identifies a verb form for verbs of quality in
Uzunoji dialect of Igbo that denotes the past meaning, it seems not to be applicable in standard Igbo.
She explains that the lengthened vowel in this verb form which is derived from a morpho-phonemic
rule specifically denotes the past tense meaning. Nwachukwu (1984) also proposes a past tense
marker which is a feature of Orlu and Onitsha dialects for all stative verbs in Igbo. He speculates that
this past tense marker could well become incorporated in standard Igbo since it is fast becoming
common among standard Igbo speakers and writers. These suffixes are -bu, -buru. The latter alone
seems applicable to verbs of quality in Igbo. The following examples are illustrative:
39a) Obi bu-ru ibu
Obi be fat -rv suff fatness
Obi is fat
39b) Obi bu-buru ibu
Obi be fat - past fatness
Obi was fat

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40a) O to-ro ogologo

3sg be tall -rv suff tallness
Obi is tall
40b) O to-buru ogologo
3sg be tall - past tallness
He was tall

4.2 Comparative and Superlative Constructions

One of the defining properties of adjectives or the adjectival class of verbs (verbs of quality) is their
ability to exclusively realise to an extent the comparative and superlative forms. Comparative
constructions require a comparison of two or more values. These values are interpreted as relational
terms that require a reference point of comparison and a direction from that reference point ˂greater
than-less than˃ (cf. Bierswich 1987). Comparative and superlative constructions should be clearly
differentiated from equative constructions which focus on placing two values on an equal scale. In
English for example, comparative and superlative markers 'er' and 'est' are suffixes attached to
adjectives. Comparison could also be generally expressed for other word classes using lexical words
such as more, than (more/better than). In Lao, Emfield (2004) states that the adjectival verbs may be
marked directly by 'kuai' (more than) in comparative constructions and by 'thiṅ-sutz in superlative
constructions. In Igbo, the comparison of values (qualities of an NP) typically expressed by verbs of
quality is marked by the -ka suffix which is derived from the verb ịka (to surpass). The suffix-ka is
multifunctional in Igbo serving not just as a comparative/superlative marker but also as an intensifier.
There are also instances where this comparative marker occurs as an independent word. Consider the
following example:

41a) Obi bu-ru ibu

Obi be fat -rv fatness
Obi is fat
41b) Obi ka Ada bu ibu / Obi ka Ada ibu
Obi comparatv Ada be fat Obi comparatv Ada fat
Obi is fatter than Ada
41c) Obi bu-ka-riri Ada / Obi bu-ka-riri Ada n'ibu
Obi be fat -comparatv- ext suffs Ada
Obi is fatter/bigger than Ada
41d) Obi bu-ka-risiri
Obi be fat -superlatv -ext suffs
Obi is the fattest
From the above examples, we observe that the comparative morpheme is realised in (41b) as 'ka'
occurring independently but in (41c), this same 'ka' is realised as a suffix affixed to the verb root 'bu'.
Note that the comparative marker as a suffix in (41c) occurs with the reduplicated extensional suffix -
ri. In (19d), 'ka' equally occurs as the superlative marker attached to the verb root 'bu' but with slightly
different set of extensional suffixes which covertly implies the involvement of more than two NPs in
the comparison. The use of 'ka' as a comparative marker for verbs of quality is however, not an
exclusive feature. Its use could be applied to a wide range of verbs in Igbo. Below are some examples:
42a) Obi ka Ada esi nri {process verb}
Obi comparatv Ada cook food
Obi cooks better than Ada

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42b) Obi si-ka-riri Ada n'nri

Obi cook-comparatv- ext suffs Ada in food
Obi cooks more/better than Ada
43a) Obi ka Ada anụ ihe {experiential verb}
Obi comparatv Ada hear something
Obi hears better than Ada
43b) Obi nụ-ka-rịrị Ada n'ihe
Obi hear -comparatv- ext suffs Ada in something
Obi hears more/better than Ada
We observe from examples (42) and (43) that process and experiential verbal constructions could be
marked for comparison using the comparative marker 'ka' both as an affix or an independent word.
The -ka suffix could equally function as an intensifier in occurrence with some verbs of quality. For
example:
Ada amaka
Obi ajoka
Nne m ebuka
Note that in some cases, the usage of the intensifier -ka requires the overtness of the verb
complement.

5.0 Summary and Conclusion

This paper has investigated some semantic and morpho-syntactic features of quality verbs in Igbo. We
observe that the basic distinction between verbs of quality and other subset of verbs is their ability to
ascribe qualities to their NP subjects. They are characterized semantically on the basis of features
such as semantic intransitivity, high possibility of 'antonymicity', correlation with a question proform,
and stative reading. It is noted that verbs of quality fall under the both broad semantic types (core and
peripheral) with more inclination towards the former. Our findings show that verbs of quality express
present meaning with the -rv assertive suffix in contrast with the past meaning expressed by the -rv
suffix in active verbs. The optional deletion of 'r' from the structure of the -rv suffix is emphasized
and differentiated from the imperative verb form.
Finally, it is observed that unlike many languages where the comparative and superlative markers are
associated with the adjectives or adjectival verbs, this feature could be applicable to as many Igbo
verbs as possible.

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