INCHOATIVE | Definition and Meaning

Definition of Inchoative

Inchoative

in·cho·a·tive

Definition/Meaning

(adjective)

(grammar) expressing or describing the start of an action or the beginning of an occurrence or condition, especially one that happens on its own, used to describe a verb;

e.g. You might use an inchoative verb to specify when the sky started to become darker.

(adjective)

coming early or first in some sequence, initial, relating to the period during which something comes into being;

e.g. Their plan is still in the inchoative stage, since they haven't finalized all of the details yet.

(noun)

(grammar) a verb that expresses or describes the start of some action or the beginning of an occurrence or condition, especially one that arises on its own;

e.g. A person might use an inchoative if they want to talk about the moment that something started happening.