Contemplated -Um- Form

Level 2

To form the contemplated (future) aspect of an -um- verb, you reduplicate the first syllable of the root and remove the -um- affix entirely.

How It Works

The contemplated aspect is the 'unstarted' state of a verb. While often translated as 'will' or 'going to,' it focuses on the fact that the action exists only in the mind or plan of the actor.

Formation Rules:

  • Vowel-Initial Roots: Reduplicate the first vowel.
    Example: alis (leave) → aalis (will leave).
  • Consonant-Initial Roots: Reduplicate the first consonant and vowel (CV).
    Example: kain (eat) → kakain (will eat).
  • Consonant Clusters: In traditional grammar, only the first consonant and the following vowel are reduplicated (e.g., trabaho → tatrabaho). However, in modern conversational Filipino, it is also common to reduplicate the full cluster (e.g., tratrabaho).

Stress and Sound Patterns:
When forming the contemplated aspect, the reduplicated syllable is typically short and unstressed. The primary stress remains on the root's original stressed syllable. For example, in kakain, the first 'ka' is short, while the second 'ka' retains the root's stress.

Usage Notes:
Unlike the completed and progressive forms, the contemplated form never contains the -um- affix. This is a key distinguishing feature because, in -um- verbs, the neutral form (used for commands) and the completed form are morphologically identical (e.g., pumunta can mean both 'go!' and 'went'). The absence of -um- is your clearest signal that the action has not yet begun.

Examples (5)

  1. Aalis na kami sa isang oras.

    We will be leaving in one hour.

    Word by Word: Will-leave now we in one hour.

    The root is 'alis'. We reduplicate the first vowel 'a' to get 'aalis'.

  2. Bibili siya ng bagong sapatos bukas.

    He/She will buy new shoes tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Will-buy he/she [object marker] new shoes tomorrow.

    The root is 'bili'. We reduplicate the first syllable 'bi' to get 'bibili'.

  3. Tatakbo ang bata sa parke mamaya.

    The child will run in the park later.

    Word by Word: Will-run [focus marker] child in-the park later.

    The root is 'takbo'. We reduplicate the first syllable 'ta' to get 'tatakbo'.

  4. Uuwi na ako dahil pagod na ako.

    I will go home now because I am already tired.

    Word by Word: Will-go-home now I because tired already I.

    The root is 'uwi'. We reduplicate the first vowel 'u' to get 'uuwi'.

  5. Tatrabaho siya sa Maynila sa susunod na buwan.

    He will work in Manila next month.

    Word by Word: Will-work he in Manila in next [linker] month.

    For the cluster 'tr', only the first consonant 't' and the vowel 'a' are reduplicated: 'tatrabaho'.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the -um- affix in the contemplated form.

    Pumupunta ako sa party bukas.
    Pupunta ako sa party bukas.

    Learners often carry over the -um- from the infinitive (pumunta). However, the contemplated aspect must drop the -um- and only use reduplication (pupunta).

How It Connects

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

Contemplated -Um- FormLevel 2

Learn This First

To learn the contemplated aspect of -um- verbs, you need to understand how the -um- affix functions in actor-focus sentences. You also need to be familiar with the concept of aspect in Filipino grammar and the specific morphological process of reduplication used to indicate that an action has not yet begun.

Words in This Pattern

-um-