User:Bukkia/sandboxVIII

Cases

Proto-Piti nouns do decline, according to an active-stative system with 9 cases:

Case	Meaning
Agentive	This case marks primarily the subject of a transitive verb. It is also used to mark the subject of an intransitive verb, which displays a certain degree of activity, will or intention in performing the said action or in being in a certain state. It is generally used only with animate nouns.
Passive	This case marks primarily the direct object of a transitive verb. It is also used to mark the subject of an intransitive verb, which displays no degree of activity, will or intention in performing the said action or in being in a certain state. It is regarded as the base form of the noun, and it is used as the vocative form.
Ablative	This case marks primarily a natural and unintentional belonging (for example, body parts), without any sign of will of possession, or an inverse belonging. It also marks the point of origin of a movement (motion from a place). It is also used to mark the direct object of an infinitival form of a verb, marking thus the direct object of the negated form of a transitive verb.
Genitive	This case marks an intentional possession, from subjects with a clear and active will. It is generally used only with animate nouns.
Terminative	This case marks primarily the final point of a movement (motion toward a place). It can also mark the indirect object, and, in a broad sense, the final purpose of an action or a state.
Causative	This case marks the reason or the cause, which are the source of an action or a state.
Instrumental	This case marks the tool or the instrument which are used to perform an action or to be in a certain state. It is generally used only with inanimate nouns.
Abessive	This case marks the tool or the instrument which are absent while performing an action or being in a certain state. It is generally used only with inanimate nouns.
Locative	This case marks the place where an action is performed, or a certain state exist (stative location). It can also have a temporal value. It is generally used only with inanimate nouns.

The cases are usually classified in 4 groups:

1. Primary main cases: agentive, genitive
2. Secondary main cases: passive, ablative
3. Primary oblique cases: terminative, causative
4. Secondary oblique cases: instrumental, abessive, locative