Aga m and Ana m: I After the Helper

Level 2

For I: helper + m + verb. Aga m abịa. Ana m eri nri.

How It Works

Standard Igbo puts m after the helper.

With I	With another subject
Aga m abịa. I will come.	Ọ ga-abịa. He or she will come.
Ana m eri nri. I am eating.	Ha na-eri nri. They are eating.

The first a of aga and ana is the same vowel that sits in front of the verb in other forms. Only m is taught here; with other pronouns, keep the pronoun before the helper.

Examples (4)

Aga m abịa.
I will come.
Aga m is the future for I.
Ana m eri nri.
I am eating.
Ana m is the progressive for I.
Aga m azụta anụ.
I will buy meat.
The same pattern with another verb.
Ana m agụ akwụkwọ.
I am reading.
Ana m plus agụ.

How It Connects

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Aga m and Ana m: I After the HelperLevel 2

Learn This First

Aga m is ga- with m after the helper, so ga- comes first.

ga-: Will
Know ga-, because Aga m is ga- with m after the helper: Aga m abịa “I will come”.
Level 2

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

ganam

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