Doing It for Someone
root + -rV + person: do it for someone.
How It Works
An extra ending on the verb adds “for” someone. It looks like the past ending, with a copied vowel.
| Plain | For someone |
|---|---|
| Ọ zụtara akwụkwọ. He or she bought a book. | Ọ zụtaara m akwụkwọ. He or she bought a book for me. |
| Ọ zụtara anụ. He or she bought meat. | Ọ zụtaara Ada anụ. He or she bought meat for Ada. |
The person who gains comes straight after the verb, before the thing. This is a step beyond the plain past, so learn the forms you meet. Not every verb uses it.
Examples (3)
- Ọ zụtaara m akwụkwọ.
He or she bought a book for me.
Zụtaara adds for me.
- Ọ zụtaara Ada anụ.
He or she bought meat for Ada.
A name gains.
- Ọ zụtaara anyị anụ.
He or she bought meat for us.
Anyị is the one who gains.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The new ending looks like the past ending and adds a person, so the past ending and the pronouns after a verb come first.
- The Past Ending -ra / -reThe Past Ending
Know the past ending, because the new ending looks like it: Ọ zụtaara m akwụkwọ “he or she bought a book for me”.
Level 2 - Pronouns After the Verb
Know the pronouns after a verb, because the person who gains follows: Ọ zụtaara m akwụkwọ “he or she bought a book for me”.
Level 1
Related Patterns
Practice Doing It for Someone in Bubblegum
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