ang + Clause + mao nga + Clause
A Clause as Focused Argument
The nga nominal clause allows you to take a whole sentence (e.g., 'you are happy') and turn it into a single 'thing' that can be the subject or predicate of another sentence. It is most often used with mao to say 'The [thing] is that [clause].'
How It Works
This pattern is a 'pseudo-cleft' construction used for emphasis and clarity. It follows a specific structural logic:
1. The Topic (Ang-slot): Usually a nominalized verb or a noun like tinuod (truth), hinungdan (reason), or pangandoy (dream).
2. The Equational Marker: The word mao (is/the one) acts as the bridge.
3. The Nominal Clause: Introduced by nga, followed by a full sentence with its own focus and aspect.
Key Features:
- Focus: This structure places heavy focus on the content of the clause. Instead of saying 'I want you to go,' you are saying 'What I want is that you go.'
- Contractions: While maong is a common contraction in casual speech, the full form mao nga is often preserved in formal contexts and written Cebuano to maintain clarity.
- Register: While common in speech, it is the standard way to express complex logical relationships in formal writing and storytelling.
Examples (4)
- Ang akong pangandoy mao nga magmalipayon ka.
My dream is that you be happy.
Word by Word: The my dream is that [actor focus-happy] you.
Here, 'magmalipayon ka' is a full clause turned into a noun phrase by 'nga' to define what the 'pangandoy' (dream) is.
- Ang tinuod mao nga wala koy kalibutan niana.
The truth is that I have no idea about that.
Word by Word: The truth is that none my knowledge of-that.
The word 'tinuod' (truth) is the topic, and the entire fact of not knowing is the predicate clause.
- Ang giingon niya mao nga molarga na siya.
What he said is that he is leaving now.
Word by Word: The [patient focus-said] he is that [actor focus-leave] already he.
This uses a nominalized verb 'ang giingon' (the thing said) as the topic, defined by the 'nga' clause.
- Ang hinungdan maong wala ko kaanhi mao nga nasakit ko.
The reason why I couldn't come is that I got sick.
Word by Word: The reason [linker] none I [ability-come] is that [stative-sick] I.
This shows 'mao nga' (maong) used both as a linker for the reason and to introduce the final nominal clause.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the 'nga' complementizer.
Ang gusto nako mao moabot ka.Ang gusto nako mao nga moabot ka.Without 'nga', the second part of the sentence is just a floating clause. 'Nga' normally packages it so it can fit into the equational structure.
Using 'ang' before the 'nga' clause.
Ang tinuod mao ang nga wala siya dinhi.Ang tinuod mao nga wala siya dinhi.In Cebuano, 'ang' marks noun phrases, but it cannot directly precede a 'nga' clause. The 'nga' itself performs the nominalizing function here.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand how a whole clause can act as the focused argument (the 'ang' phrase) of a sentence, you first need to be comfortable with the basic 'ang' marker, how 'nga' functions to link clauses, and how 'mao' is used to equate two parts of a sentence.
- ngaThat
The 'nga' complementizer is the grammatical tool used to turn a verbal phrase or sentence into a nominal clause that can function as an argument.
Level 2 - maoThat Is It
The word 'mao' (that is it/the one) is frequently used as the equational link when a 'nga' clause serves as the focused argument.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- No Word For Is
Explains why Cebuano uses markers like 'mao' instead of a verb like 'is' to link these ideas.
Foundations - angFocused Phrase Marker
The marker used to create the nominalized topic that the 'nga' clause defines.
Level 1 - kamatuoran ngaThe Fact That
A specific common application of this pattern meaning 'the fact that'.
Level 5 - mao nga / maongThat Is Why
Often confused with this pattern; 'mao nga' can also function as a conjunction meaning 'that is why'.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice ang + Clause + mao nga + Clause in Bubblegum
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