Irish syntax is rather different from that of most Indo-European languages, especially because of its VSO word order. Normal word order The normal word order in an Irish sentence is: Preverbal particle Verb Subject Direct object or predicate adjective Indirect object Location descriptor Manner descriptor Time descriptor Only the verb and subject are obligatory; all other parts are optional (unless the primary or finite verb is transitive, in which case a direct object is required). In synthetic verb forms, the verb and subject are united in a single word, so that even one-word sentences are possible, e.g. "I understand." An example sentence: Questions and answers Irish has no words for "yes" and "no". The answer to a question contains a repetition (the same as in Latin) of the verb, either with or without a negative particle. For analytic forms, only the verb is given and the subject is not repeated. If a verb has different dependent and independent forms, the dependent form follows the interrogative or negative particle. The independent form is used where there is no particle. CNJV:conjunctive DSJV:disjunctive Commands In a command the imperative mood is used, and no subject is given. To express a negative command, the particle is used. This particle, which can be roughly translated "don't", causes neither eclipsis nor lenition, and attaches h to a following vowel. Syntax of the verbal noun A progressive aspect can be formed by connecting the verbal noun to the existential verb with the progressive particle . The object of a verbal noun is in the genitive, if it is definite. If a nonfinite clause forms the complement of the verb, the verbal noun stands alone (without a preposition) in the clause. The direct object of a verbal noun complement precedes the verbal noun; the leniting particle "to" is placed between them. Other complements follow. Object pronouns Generally, an object pronoun or a conjugated preposition stands at the end of a sentence in Irish. Compare this sentence: with the two following sentences: Passive Irish commonly uses the impersonal form (also called the autonomous form) instead of the passive voice. In the perfect, the passive voice is formed by using the passive participle with the existential verb. Stative verbs Some verbs describing the state or condition of a person form a progressive present with the existential verb plus 'in (my, your, his etc.)' plus the verbal noun. Forms meaning "to