kung + Clause

Whether Clause

Level 3

The kung + embedded question pattern is used to report a question or express uncertainty. It translates to 'if' or 'whether' in English and is almost always paired with the question particle ba.

How It Works

This pattern functions as a 'Whether Clause' or an indirect yes-no question. Unlike a direct question ('Will he come?'), an embedded question is part of a larger sentence ('I don't know if he will come').

1. The Role of Kung/Kon
The word kung acts as the bridge between the main verb (like 'know' or 'ask') and the question being asked. In formal writing or speech, you will often see kon used instead, but they function identically.

2. The Importance of 'Ba'
While kung provides the 'if' meaning, Cebuano speakers often include the particle ba within the embedded clause, though it is optional. This clearly marks the clause as a question rather than a conditional statement. Without ba, a sentence like 'Wala ko kahibalo kung moabot siya' is still correct and means 'I don't know if he will come'.

3. Word Order
The embedded clause follows standard Cebuano predicate-first rules. The particle ba must follow the first word of the embedded clause (the second-position rule).

4. Verbs of Cognition and Inquiry
This pattern is most frequently used after verbs such as:

  • kahibalo (to know)
  • pangutana (to ask)
  • ambot (I don't know / who knows)
  • sigurado (to be sure)

Examples (4)

  1. Wala ko kahibalo kung moabot ba siya karon.

    I don't know if he will arrive today.

    Word by Word: Not I know if arrive [question] he today.

    Here, 'kung' introduces the question, and 'ba' is placed after the verb 'moabot' to confirm it is an inquiry.

  2. Pangutan-a siya kung gusto ba siya mokuyog.

    Ask him if he wants to come along.

    Word by Word: Ask him if want [question] he to-come-along.

    The verb 'pangutan-a' (ask) triggers the need for a whether-clause using 'kung'.

  3. Ambot kung tinuod ba ang iyang gisulti.

    I don't know if what he said is true.

    Word by Word: Don't-know if true [question] the his said.

    'Ambot' is a very common way to start a 'whether' clause when expressing total uncertainty.

  4. Dili ko sigurado kon nakadawat ba siya sa sulat.

    I am not sure whether he received the letter.

    Word by Word: Not I sure whether received [question] he [marker] letter.

    This example uses the formal 'kon' and the started aspect verb 'nakadawat'.

Common Mistakes

  • Leaving out 'ba' in the embedded question.

    Different MeaningWala ko kahibalo kung moabot siya.
    Wala ko kahibalo kung moabot ba siya.

    'Wala ko kahibalo kung moabot siya' is a good sentence and means 'I don't know if he will come'. Adding 'ba' only makes the 'whether' question feel stronger.

  • Placing 'ba' at the very end of a long clause.

    Different MeaningPangutan-a siya kung gusto siya mokuyog ba.
    Pangutan-a siya kung gusto ba siya mokuyog.

    'Ba' usually follows the first word of its clause, as in 'gusto ba siya'. Putting it at the very end, as in the first sentence, is less usual but heard.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

kung + ClauseLevel 3Whether Clause

Learn This First

To understand 'whether' clauses, you first need to know how 'kung' functions as a conditional marker ('if') and how basic yes-no questions are structured. Additionally, familiarity with verbs like 'kahibalo' (to know) is essential, as these clauses typically function as the object of such verbs.

Words in This Pattern