Ex. (19): intensifier + suffix Furthermore, the suffix may be appended to the prohibitive marker (with the presence of the buffer ), as seen in the following example: Ex. (20): suffix + prohibitive marker Prohibitions Manam expresses prohibitions in two basic ways: using finite verbs—defined as verb (phrase) forms that can occur on their own in a main clause; using gerunds and verbal nouns. Lichtenberk defines gerunds as verb nuclei used to indicate 'non-specific' events, whereas verbal nouns are used to indicate ‘specific’ events. Compare the following examples: Ex. (21): gerund Ex. (22): verbal noun Prohibitive constructions with finite verbs The basic structure of prohibitive constructions using finite verbs is followed by a verb with a realis subject/mood prefix, as seen in the following examples: Ex. (23): prohibitive construction finite verb Ex. (24): prohibitive construction finite verb w/ subject NP Ex. (25): prohibitive construction finite verb w/ direct object NP Sometimes, however—the subject or direct object NP may occur between and the verb, as in the following example: Ex. (26): prohibitive construction finite verb Prohibitive constructions with gerunds and verbal nouns Prohibitive constructions using gerunds or verbal nouns are formed by placing the prohibitive/negative marker after the gerund or verbal noun, demonstrated in the following example: Ex. (27): prohibitive construction using gerund/verbal noun The distinction between using a gerund or a verbal noun is determined by whether the source verb is transitive (verbal noun) or intransitive (gerund). Additionally, the form 'never mind' may also be used in forming prohibitive constructions using gerunds and verbal nouns. The location of within the clause is more dynamic than the prohibitive/negative marker , as may occur both following or preceding the verbal noun or gerund. Compare the following two examples: Ex. (28): prohibitive construction using (following) Ex. (29): prohibitive construction using (preceding) Indirect prohibitive constructions The negative marker is used when expressing prohibitions in indirect speech—its behaviour is identical as in its regular usage: is placed before the element which is being negated, as seen in the following example: Ex. (30): indirect prohibitive construction Morphology Number Manam has an unusual, though regionally common, four-way distinction between singular, dual, paucal, and plural number. Singular and plural are marked on the verb and sometimes on the adjective, but not on the noun. Pronouns Reduplication Reduplication can be either leftward () or rightward (). There is no point in distinguishing 'partial' and 'total' reduplication, since at most