Word Formation Strategies in the Hebrew Verb System

A hierarchy is suggested for the familiar syntactic and semantic factors determining realization of llebrew verbs in the particular conjugations. Other considerations apply whenever applicable no realizations are allowed which would form unpronounceable clusters; realizations preserv ing the consonant clusters of original nouns are preferredif a slot is occupied, the semantically-closest conjugation is chosen. To examine these claims, native speakers were asked to themselves innovate denomina tive verbs, or make judgements about hypothetical verhalizations. The results support the basic semantic/syntactic hierarchy; speakers even invent new devices allowing incorporation of non-syntactic and non-semantic factors without the hierarchy itself being significantly affected.