Verbs play a central role in expressing actions, events, and states of being. There are two main verb focuses in Tagalog–actor-focus and object-focus. What is the difference between actor-focus and object-focus verbs in Tagalog?
Before getting into those two, let us first define what verb focus is.
Tagalog Verbs Focus
Verb focus refers to the grammatical structure of a sentence that determines which element of the action or event described by the verb is emphasized or highlighted.
Focus plays a crucial role in shaping the meaning and interpretation of sentences by indicating whether the focus is on the subject (actor-focus), the object (object-focus), or another element, such as the location or manner of the action.
When discussing verbs, the sentence structure is no longer in the basic form of predicate-subject. Depending on the verb affix used, the sentence subject stays the same but gives a different emphasis, or focus, to the sentence. To better show this in verbs, the subject will now be called “focus”.
Meanwhile, the predicate gets split by the subject into two parts–the “verb” and “elaborative”.
An elaborative is any part of the sentence that gives more detail to the verb phrase. In an actor-focused verb, for example, only the verb and actor are needed to form a basic sentence. Everything else like location or an object would be an elaborative.
Example: Magsulat ka sa ibang papel. → (You) write on another piece of paper.
| Verb (Predicate) | Focus (Subject) | Elaborative (Predicate) |
|---|---|---|
|
Magsulat |
ka |
sa ibang papel. |
Though useful in providing more context, an elaborative is sometimes optional and can be omitted depending on the context and if enough information is provided in the sentence.
Example: Magsulat ka. → (You) write.
| Verb (Predicate) | Focus (Subject) |
|---|---|
|
Magsulat |
ka. |
Speaking of focus, let’s get into the basics of Actor and Object Focus.
Actor-Focus
The verb is in Actor-Focus when the subject is the actor. The verb being used is in infinitive form which is the same as adding “to” in front of a verb in English.
Example: maglaro → to play
In actor-focused verbs, the actor or doer of the verb is denoted by “si”, “ang”, or a nominative pronoun. Meanwhile, the object of actor-focused verbs is denoted by “ng”, “ni”, “sa”, or possessive pronouns.
“Ng”, or any other possessive marker, does not denote possession when marking an object. In fact, object markers do not have an English translation since object markers do not exist in English.
“Mag-” verbs are one of the actor-focused verbs in Tagalog and are the verbs we will be taking a look at in this section. The verb prefix “mag-” indicates an action directed towards a direct object or goal. A direct object is a word or phrase that receives the action of the verb.
Example: Magbenta ka ng talong. → (You) sell the eggplants.
| Verb (Predicate) | Focus (Subject) | Elaborative (Predicate) | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Object Marker |
Object |
|
Magbenta |
ka |
ng |
talong. |
The actor can be connected to a verb using a ligature. This allows you to create a verb phrase that can be used in other grammar structures.
Example: Mabagal siyang magsipilyo. → They brush their teeth slowly.
| Elaborative | Focus (nominative pronoun + ligature) | Verb |
|---|---|---|
|
Mabagal |
siyang (siya + ng) |
magsipilyo. |
1. Completed Form
- The completed form, or past tense, is actions that have been started and have already ended. The completed form structure is “nag-” and a root word.
- Example: Naglakad si Andrea kahapon. → Andrea walked yesterday.
- Root: Lakad (walk)
- Example: Naglakad si Andrea kahapon. → Andrea walked yesterday.
- The completed form, or past tense, is actions that have been started and have already ended. The completed form structure is “nag-” and a root word.
| Verb | Focus | Elaborative |
|---|---|---|
|
Naglakad |
si Andrea |
kahapon. |
2. Incomplete Form
- The incomplete form, or present progressive, are actions that have been started and are still ongoing. The incomplete form structure starts with “nag-”, followed by the first syllable of the root word, and then the root word.
- Example: Naglalaba si Mia ng damit → Mia is washing the clothes.
- Root: Laba (wash clothes)
- Example: Naglalaba si Mia ng damit → Mia is washing the clothes.
- The incomplete form, or present progressive, are actions that have been started and are still ongoing. The incomplete form structure starts with “nag-”, followed by the first syllable of the root word, and then the root word.
| Verb | Focus | Elaborative |
|---|---|---|
|
Naglalaba |
si Mia |
ng damit. |
3. Contemplated Form
- The contemplated form, or future tense, are actions that have not been started. The contemplated form structure starts with “mag-”, followed by the first syllable of the root word, and then the root word.
- Example: Mag-iipon si Carlos ng pera. → Carlos will save money.
- Root: Ipon (save)
- Example: Mag-iipon si Carlos ng pera. → Carlos will save money.
- The contemplated form, or future tense, are actions that have not been started. The contemplated form structure starts with “mag-”, followed by the first syllable of the root word, and then the root word.
| Verb | Focus | Elaborative |
|---|---|---|
|
Mag-iipon |
si Carlos |
ng pera. |
Object-Focus
The verb is in Object-Focus when the subject of the sentence is the object. This is also called Goal-Focus.
The focus of object-focus verb is denoted by “ang”.
Just like with the actor-focus, the elaboratives can be omitted from the sentence depending on the context and if enough information is already provided.
“In-” verbs are one of the object-focused verbs in Tagalog and are the verbs we will be taking a look at in this section.
1. Infinitive Form
- For the infinitive form, -in is added as the verb’s suffix.
- Example: Kagat
- Root form of the word bite.
- Example: Kagat
- For the infinitive form, -in is added as the verb’s suffix.
| Verb + in | Infinitive Form | English |
|---|---|---|
|
Kagat + in |
kagatin |
to bite something. |
- Sometimes, the English translation of an object-focused verb means to do something to something. For example, kagatin by itself can be thought of as “to bite something” as it is object-focused. Adding the focus replaces that “something” and adds context to the sentence.
- Example: Kagatin mo ang tinapay. → (You) bite the bread.
- Sometimes, the English translation of an object-focused verb means to do something to something. For example, kagatin by itself can be thought of as “to bite something” as it is object-focused. Adding the focus replaces that “something” and adds context to the sentence.
| Verb | Elaborative (Actor) | Focus |
|---|---|---|
|
Kagatin |
mo |
ang tinapay. |
-
- For infinitive form verbs that end in a vowel, the letter h is added before -in making the suffix -hin:
| Verb + in | Infinitive Form | English |
|---|---|---|
|
Basa + in |
Basahin |
to read something. |
- Example: Basahin mo ang libro. → (You) read the book.
| Verb | Elaborative (Actor) | Focus |
|---|---|---|
|
Basahin |
mo |
ang libro. |
2. Completed Form
- For the completed form, in- is added before the first vowel of the root word.
- Example 1: Inalis ni Via ang dumi. → Via removed the dirt.
- alis → in + alis → inalis
- Example 2: Binuhat ni Lea ang kahon. → Lea carried the box.
- buhat → b + in + uhat → binuhat
- Example 1: Inalis ni Via ang dumi. → Via removed the dirt.
- For the completed form, in- is added before the first vowel of the root word.
| Verb | Elaborative (Actor) | Focus |
|---|---|---|
|
Inalis |
ni Via |
ang dumi. |
|
Binuhat |
ni Lea |
ang kahon. |
3. Incompleted Form
- For the incompleted form, the first syllable of the root word is repeated, then -in- is added before the first vowel.
- Example 1: Inaalis ni Via ang dumi. → Via is removing the dirt.
- alis → a + alis → in + aalis → inaalis
- Example 2: Binubuhat ni Lea ang kahon. → Lea is carrying the box.
- buhat → bu + buhat → b + in + ubuhat → binubuhat
- Example 1: Inaalis ni Via ang dumi. → Via is removing the dirt.
- For the incompleted form, the first syllable of the root word is repeated, then -in- is added before the first vowel.
| Verb | Elaborative (Actor) | Focus |
|---|---|---|
|
Inaalis |
ni Via |
ang dumi. |
|
Binubuhat |
ni Lea |
ang kahon. |
4. Contemplated Form
- For the contemplated form, duplicate the first syllable, then add -in at the end.
- Example 1: Aalisin ni Via ang dumi. → Via will remove the dirt.
- alis → a + alis → aalis + in → aalisin
- Example 2: Bubuhatin ni Lea ang kahon. → Lea will carry the box.
- buhat → bu + buhat → bubuhat + in → bubuhatin
- Example 1: Aalisin ni Via ang dumi. → Via will remove the dirt.
- For the contemplated form, duplicate the first syllable, then add -in at the end.
| Verb | Elaborative (Actor) | Focus |
|---|---|---|
|
Aalisin |
ni Via |
ang dumi. |
|
Bubuhatin |
ni Lea |
ang kahon. |
Where to Focus
While both actor-focus and object-focus constructions convey similar actions or events, they differ in their focus and emphasis within the sentence.
Actor-focus constructions prioritize the actor or doer of the action, while object-focus constructions prioritize the object or recipient of the action. This distinction can subtly alter the meaning or interpretation of the sentence, highlighting different aspects of the action or event described by the verb.
If you’re still having trouble differentiating between actor-focus and object-focus, why not head on to Turong Wika?
Turong Wika is a free app that focuses on teaching conversational Tagalog. From learning greetings to pointing out directions, it has everything you need to hold conversations.
Besides the highly interactive lessons, there is also a Practice and a Cheat Sheet feature. The Practice feature is where you go to test your current knowledge. Meanwhile, the Cheat Sheet is where your finished lessons are summarized for convenience and where you can go for a quick refresher.
Focus on the right thing. Scan the code below to download the app now!
Focus on the right thing. Click on the button below to download the app now!
