Action In Progress Or Habitual

Level 2

The Progressive Aspect, formally known as the Imperfective Aspect (Aspektong Imperpektibo or Aspektong Nagaganap), indicates that an action is currently happening, happens regularly, or was in progress at a specific time. It is formed by repeating the first syllable of the root word (CV-reduplication) and using a 'started' affix like nag- or -um-.

How It Works

To form the progressive aspect, you combine two elements: a 'started' marker and CV reduplication (repeating the first consonant and vowel of the root, or just the first vowel if the root starts with a vowel).

1. Actor Focus Patterns:

  • -um- verbs: First, reduplicate the first consonant and vowel of the root (e.g., kain → kakain). Then, insert the infix -um- after the first consonant of this newly formed word (kumakain, is eating). If the root starts with a vowel, um- is added as a prefix before the reduplicated vowel (e.g., alis → umaalis, is leaving).
  • mag- verbs: The prefix mag- changes to nag-, and the first consonant and vowel of the root are repeated. Example: luto (cook) → nagluluto (is cooking). Spelling Rule: If the root starts with a vowel, a hyphen must be inserted between the prefix and the reduplicated vowel (e.g., aral → nag-aaral).
  • ma- verbs: The prefix ma- changes to na-, and the first consonant and vowel of the root are repeated. Example: tulog (sleep) → natutulog (is sleeping).
  • mang- verbs: The prefix mang- changes to nang-, and the first consonant and vowel of the root (or the assimilated root) are repeated. Example: hingi (ask for) → nanghihingi (is asking for); bili (buy) → mamili (assimilated root) → namimili (is buying). Spelling Rule: If the root starts with a vowel, a hyphen must be inserted between the prefix and the reduplicated vowel (e.g., inis → nang-iinis).

2. Object Focus Patterns:

  • -in verbs: The infix -in- is used along with reduplication of the root's first consonant and vowel. Note: The suffix -in or -hin from the neutral form is deleted when the verb is in the progressive aspect. Example: basahin (to read) → binabasa (is being read). If the root starts with a vowel, the infix -in- becomes the prefix in-. Example: inumin (to drink) → iniinom (is being drunk).
  • -an verbs: The infix -in- is used with reduplication, but unlike -in verbs, the suffix -an or -han is not deleted. Example: hugasan (to wash) → hinuhugasan (is being washed).
  • i- verbs: The prefix i- remains, the infix -in- is added, and the first consonant and vowel of the root are repeated. Example: ibigay (to give) → ibinibigay (is being given).
  • Special Case: For roots starting with l, r, w, or y, the infix -in- often becomes the prefix ni-. Example: luto → niluluto (is being cooked).

3. Usage Contexts:

  • Ongoing: Nag-aaral ako. (I am studying.)
  • Habitual: Umiinom siya ng kape tuwing umaga. (He/She drinks coffee every morning.)
  • Past Progressive: Naglalakad ako nang umulan. (I was walking when it rained.)

Examples (4)

  1. Kumakain ang bata ng mansanas.

    The child is eating an apple.

    Word by Word: Is-eating the child (marker) apple.

    Uses the -um- progressive form of 'kain' (eat) to show an ongoing action.

  2. Nagluluto si Maria tuwing gabi.

    Maria cooks every night.

    Word by Word: Is-cooking (marker) Maria every night.

    Uses the nag- progressive form to describe a habitual action.

  3. Binabasa ko ang libro mo kanina.

    I was reading your book earlier.

    Word by Word: Was-being-read by-me the book of-you earlier.

    Uses the -in progressive form to show an action that was in progress in the past.

  4. Nililinis nila ang bahay ngayon.

    They are cleaning the house now.

    Word by Word: Are-cleaning they the house now.

    Demonstrates the ni- prefix used with the root 'linis' (clean) for the progressive aspect.

Common Mistakes

  • Repeating the prefix instead of the root syllable.

    Nagnagluto siya.
    Nagluluto siya.

    Reduplication should always happen to the first syllable of the root word (lu-luto), not the prefix (nag-).

  • 'Magluluto' is future; 'nagluluto' is happening now.

    Different MeaningMagluluto ako ngayon.
    Nagluluto ako ngayon.

    Both use reduplication, but the Progressive uses 'started' markers (nag-, -um-) while the Contemplated aspect uses 'unstarted' markers (mag-).

  • Keeping the -in suffix in the progressive form.

    Binabasahin ko ang libro.
    Binabasa ko ang libro.

    When using the Progressive Object-Focus Form, the suffix -in (or -hin) is dropped because the infix -in- already indicates the focus and aspect.

How It Connects

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

Action In Progress Or HabitualLevel 2

Learn This First

To understand the progressive aspect, learners must first shift from a tense-based mindset to an aspect-based one. Mechanically, they need to be familiar with syllable reduplication, which is the primary marker for ongoing actions, and how it builds upon the forms used in the completed aspect.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.