i- + -in- + Root

Completed I- Form

Level 2

The Completed I- Form indicates that an action focused on a specific object (the theme) has already happened. It is formed by adding the prefix i- and the aspect marker -in- (or ni-) to a verb root.

How It Works

To form the completed aspect of an i- verb, you must follow specific morphological rules based on the starting letter of the root:

  • Consonant-initial roots: Insert the infix -in- after the first consonant of the root and keep the i- prefix.
    Example: sulat (write) → i- + s-in-ulat = isinulat.
  • Vowel-initial roots: Use the prefix ni- before the root to avoid awkward sounds.
    Example: abot (hand over) → i- + ni- + abot = iniabot.
  • Roots starting with L, R, Y, W: Standard Filipino uses the ni- prefix for these as well.
    Example: lagay (put) → i- + ni- + lagay = inilagay.

Register Note: In casual conversation, Filipinos often drop the initial i- (e.g., saying sinulat instead of isinulat). However, in formal writing and standard speech, the i- should be preserved. This form is distinct from -in verbs, which often focus on objects being acted upon directly or moved toward the actor.

Examples (5)

  1. Ibinigay ko ang susi sa kanya.

    I gave the key to him/her.

    Word by Word: Was-given by-me the key to him/her.

    The root is 'bigay' (give). The infix '-in-' is added after 'b', resulting in 'ibinigay'.

  2. Isinara ni Maria ang pinto.

    Maria closed the door.

    Word by Word: Was-closed by Maria the door.

    The root is 'sara' (close). The infix '-in-' is added after 's', resulting in 'isinara'.

  3. Iniabot niya ang pagkain sa bata.

    He/She handed over the food to the child.

    Word by Word: Was-handed-over by-him/her the food to-the child.

    Since 'abot' starts with a vowel, the prefix 'ni-' is used instead of an infix, resulting in 'iniabot'.

  4. Inilagay nila ang mga libro sa mesa.

    They put the books on the table.

    Word by Word: Were-placed by-them the (plural) book on-the table.

    For roots starting with 'l', 'ni-' is prefixed to the root, resulting in 'inilagay'.

  5. Itinapon ko na ang basura.

    I already threw away the trash.

    Word by Word: Was-thrown-away by-me already the trash.

    The root 'tapon' (throw) becomes 'itinapon'. The particle 'na' emphasizes the completion.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing the infix before the 'i-' prefix.

    inisulat ko ang liham
    isinulat ko ang liham

    The aspect marker '-in-' must go inside the root, not before the 'i-' prefix.

  • Dropping the 'i-' in formal writing.

    Binigay ko ang ulat sa boss.
    Ibinigay ko ang ulat sa boss.

    While 'binigay' is common in casual speech, formal Filipino requires the full 'ibinigay' form.

  • Using the wrong marker for vowel-initial roots.

    i-in-abot
    iniabot

    Roots starting with vowels use the 'ni-' prefix (ini-) rather than the '-in-' infix to maintain natural pronunciation.

How It Connects

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

i- + -in- + RootLevel 2Completed I- Form

Learn This First

To understand the completed aspect of i- verbs, you first need to understand the basic function of the i- theme focus. You must also be familiar with how Filipino uses aspect instead of tense and how the -in- infix is used across different verb groups to indicate that an action has been finished.

Words in This Pattern

i--in-