amma
Adding a Contrast
Amma can introduce either an affirmative or a negative contrasting statement.
How It Works
A common pattern places amma between a statement and a contrasting statement. The second point can qualify an assessment, present an unexpected outcome, or introduce another participant. It need not deny the first proposition.
Calling someone creates an expectation of an answer. A following statement that he did not answer contrasts with that expectation. Similarly, a road can be long and good at the same time; the second property can counterbalance the first.
The connector supplies neither agreement nor negation. A denied completed event still takes negative completive marking and closing ba. A different subject takes its own marker. Compare additive kuma with contrastive amma: the actual propositions and surrounding context establish the relationship.
Examples (3)
- Na kira shi, amma bai amsa ba.
I called him, but he did not answer.
The outcome contrasts with an expected response.
- Hanyar tana da tsawo, amma tana da kyau.
The road is long, but it is good.
Both property statements are affirmative.
- Sun yi aiki, amma ba su gama ba.
They worked, but they did not finish.
The second clause limits the achievement.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Recognize added properties, negative outcomes and established-reference noun subjects before contrasting two statements with amma. In Na kira shi, shi is the short masculine singular direct object after finite kira, with a different role from the subject marker; the later short-object lesson develops the paradigm.
- kumaAdding Another Point
Recognize added properties, negative outcomes and established-reference noun subjects before contrasting two statements with amma. In Na kira shi, shi is the short masculine singular direct object after finite kira, with a different role from the subject marker; the later short-object lesson develops the paradigm.
Level 2 - ba … baA Basic Negative Frame
Recognize added properties, negative outcomes and established-reference noun subjects before contrasting two statements with amma. In Na kira shi, shi is the short masculine singular direct object after finite kira, with a different role from the subject marker; the later short-object lesson develops the paradigm.
Level 1 - Referring to a Known Noun
Recognize added properties, negative outcomes and established-reference noun subjects before contrasting two statements with amma. In Na kira shi, shi is the short masculine singular direct object after finite kira, with a different role from the subject marker; the later short-object lesson develops the paradigm.
Level 2
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice amma in Bubblegum
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