Constructions with an auxiliary or a copula are often viewed as an analytic way of expressing events that are otherwise expressed with synthetic constructions. Languages generally show some preferences for one type of constructions or for another. In this paper, I will analyze the development of analytic constructions in Purepecha using two verbs: xa, 'be there', and xinte, 'be', as auxiliaries and copulas. In Purepecha, the evolution towards more analytical constructions operates in various construction types; this is not an isolated phenomenon. In its current state, Purepecha has both analytic and synthetic constructions for expressing passive constructions on one hand, and nominal predicate constructions with specific pragmatic and sociolinguistic particularities on the other hand. The analytic constructions do not replace the synthetic ones, but rather add to the expressive power of the overall verb system.
