Action Not Yet Begun

Level 2

The contemplated aspect (aspektong kontemplatibo) describes actions that are unstarted. While it often functions like the English future tense, it focuses on the state of the action rather than just the time.

How It Works

The contemplated aspect is used for:

  • Future Actions: Things you will do later (e.g., 'I will eat').
  • Intentions: Things you plan or intend to do.
  • Hypotheticals: Actions that might happen in 'if' clauses using kung.
  • Unrealized Past Actions: Things that were supposed to happen but didn't, often paired with dapat (should).

Formation Rules:
1. -um- verbs: Reduplicate the first syllable of the root and drop the -um- infix. (e.g., takbo → tatakbo).
2. mag- / ma- / mang- verbs: Keep the prefix and reduplicate the first syllable of the root. (e.g., magluto → magluluto).
3. -in / -an verbs: Reduplicate the first syllable of the root and keep the suffix. (e.g., basa → babasahin).
4. Complex Prefixes: For prefixes like maka-, the last syllable of the prefix is often reduplicated (e.g., makakakita).

Examples (5)

  1. Tatakbo ako sa parke bukas.

    I will run in the park tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Will-run I in-the park tomorrow.

    The root is 'takbo'. For -um- verbs, we drop the infix and reduplicate the first syllable 'ta-' to form the contemplated aspect.

  2. Magluluto si Nanay ng hapunan mamaya.

    Mother will cook dinner later.

    Word by Word: Will-cook [marker] Mother [marker] dinner later.

    For mag- verbs, the prefix 'mag-' stays and the first syllable of the root 'lu-' is reduplicated.

  3. Babasahin ko ang libro mo.

    I will read your book.

    Word by Word: Will-read by-me the book of-you.

    In -in verbs, the root 'basa' has its first syllable 'ba-' reduplicated while keeping the suffix '-hin'.

  4. Dapat ay pupunta siya kahapon.

    He was supposed to go yesterday.

    Word by Word: Should [linker] will-go he yesterday.

    This shows that the contemplated aspect isn't just for the future; it describes an action that was 'unstarted' at a specific point in time.

  5. Kung tatawag siya, sabihin mong wala ako.

    If he calls, tell him I'm not here.

    Word by Word: If will-call he, say you-that none I.

    The contemplated aspect is used for hypothetical future conditions after 'kung'.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the -um- infix in the contemplated aspect.

    Tumatakbo ako bukas.
    Tatakbo ako bukas.

    Learners often keep '-um-' because it is in the infinitive. However, for the contemplated aspect, the '-um-' must be removed.

  • Reduplicating the first syllable of the prefix 'mag-' instead of the root.

    Mamagluto ako.
    Magluluto ako.

    For 'mag-' verbs, you must reduplicate the first syllable of the verb root (luto -> luluto), not the prefix.

  • Using the infinitive form for future actions.

    Magluto ako mamaya.
    Magluluto ako mamaya.

    English speakers often use the base form (infinitive) to mean 'will', but in Filipino, you must use the specific contemplated aspect form.

How It Connects

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

Action Not Yet BegunLevel 2

Learn This First

To understand the contemplated aspect, a learner must first shift from a tense-based mindset to an aspect-based one. They also need to be familiar with the morphological process of reduplication, which is the primary way this aspect is signaled, and understand how Filipino verbs are constructed from roots and affixes.

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