The generalized affix wins the competition

Abstract This usage-based investigation analyzes the changing frequency of a periphrastic future construction of Persian over four centuries. The data originates from a diachronic dataset of New Persian, sampled from 55 texts of the 10th to 20th centuries. The statistical results demonstrate a frequency rise in this construction’s usage in the 17th and 18th centuries (phase 1), followed by a frequency drop in the 19th and 20th centuries (phase 2). It is argued that the initial upward trend could have been motivated by systematicity (system pressure), affecting the functionally expanding prefix of imperfective aspect. Subsequently, the two future-marking forms are engaged in a competitive situation from the 18th century, which is observed through the interchangeability feature of the verbs. Ultimately, this competition is resolved, or is in the process of being resolved, due to the economic advantage of the generalized prefix and the higher cost associated with the periphrastic construction.