-in- + Reduplicated Root
Progressive Object-Focus Form
The -in progressive aspect (imperfective) describes actions that are currently happening or happen regularly. It is used when the object (the thing being acted upon) is the focus of the sentence.
How It Works
To form the progressive aspect of an -in verb, follow these steps:
1. Reduplicate the first syllable of the root. For consonant-initial roots, use CV reduplication; for vowel-initial roots, use V-reduplication.
2. Insert the infix -in- after the first consonant of that new syllable (or as a prefix in- for vowel-initial roots).
3. Use the root as the base: Note that the suffix -in or -hin (found in the neutral form) is not used in the progressive aspect.
Phonological Rules:
- Consonant-initial: basa (read) → ba-basa → binabasa.
- Vowel-initial: alis (remove) → a-alis → inaalis.
- L, R, W, Y roots: To make pronunciation easier, the infix often shifts to a prefix ni-. linis (clean) → nililinis (instead of linilinis).
Usage Note: This form is used for specific objects (marked by ang) when the verb is a Patient-Focus verb. Unlike English, this aspect can represent both the present ('is reading') and the past progressive ('was reading') depending on the context.
Examples (4)
- Binabasa ni Maria ang liham.
Maria is reading the letter.
Word by Word: Is-reading by Maria the letter.
The root is 'basa'. The first syllable 'ba' is repeated, and '-in-' is inserted, making 'binabasa'.
- Inaalis nila ang mga basura sa daan.
They are removing the trash from the road.
Word by Word: Are-removing they the (plural) trash from road.
For the vowel-initial root 'alis', the infix '-in-' becomes the prefix 'in-' before the reduplicated 'a'.
- Nililinis ko ang kwarto ko tuwing Sabado.
I clean my room every Saturday.
Word by Word: Am-cleaning I the room my every Saturday.
This shows a habitual action. Because 'linis' starts with 'L', the 'ni-' prefix is used instead of the '-in-' infix.
- Kinakain ng bata ang mansanas.
The child is eating the apple.
Word by Word: Is-eating by child the apple.
The apple (mansanas) is the focus, marked by 'ang', so the object-focus progressive 'kinakain' is used.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting to reduplicate the first syllable.
Binasa ko ang libro ngayon.Binabasa ko ang libro ngayon.'Binasa' is the completed aspect (read). To show it is happening 'ngayon' (now), you must use 'binabasa'.
Using the suffix -in with the progressive infix.
Binabasahin ko ang libro.Binabasa ko ang libro.The suffix '-in' (used in the neutral/future forms) disappears when the infix '-in-' is added for the completed or progressive aspects.
Using the wrong focus marker for the actor.
Binabasa ako ang libro.Binabasa ko ang libro.Since this is an object-focus verb, the actor must be in the 'ng' case (ko), not the 'ang' case (ako).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the progressive object-focus form, you first need to understand how the -in suffix marks the object as the focus of the sentence. You also need to be familiar with the -in- infix used in the completed aspect and the general rule of syllable reduplication, as the progressive form combines these two morphological processes.
- Repeating A Syllable
The progressive aspect in Filipino is formed by repeating the first syllable of the root, a process known as reduplication.
Foundations - -in-Completed Object-Focus Form
The progressive form of -in verbs uses the same -in- infix found in the completed aspect, combined with reduplication.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- Action In Progress Or Habitual
This is the specific object-focus implementation of the general progressive aspect.
Level 2 - -inPatient Focus with -In
This is the verb class that uses this specific progressive conjugation pattern.
Level 2 - First-Syllable Reduplication
Reduplication is the primary method used to indicate that an action is ongoing or contemplated.
Level 2 - ni-Ni- Before Certain Initials
Explains why verbs like 'nililinis' use 'ni-' instead of the standard '-in-' infix.
Level 2 - Aspect Rather Than Tense
Explains why 'binabasa' can mean 'is reading' or 'was reading' depending on the time context.
Foundations - Choosing The Discourse Center
Helps you decide when to use 'binabasa' (object focus) versus 'bumabasa' (actor focus).
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice -in- + Reduplicated Root in Bubblegum
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