Long Sentences
Clause + joining word + clause + joining word.
How It Works
Four small words build long sentences.
| Word | Use |
|---|---|
| na | that |
| ma | whether |
| mgbe | when |
| ka | so that, let |
Read each clause by itself. Find the subject, then the verb. Then see how the joining word connects the clauses. Each clause stands on its own.
When a sentence feels too long, find each verb first. Every verb belongs to one clause, and the joining word before it tells you how that clause relates to the one before.
Examples (3)
- Mgbe anyị ruru ụlọ, nne m na-eri nri, mana nna m gara ahịa.
When we reached home, my mother was eating, but my father went to the market.
Mgbe starts the first clause.
- Ọ sịrị na ọ ga-abịa, mana amaghị m ma ọ ga-abịa.
He or she said that he or she would come, but I do not know whether he or she will.
Na and ma.
- Gwa ya ka ọ bịa mgbe ọ nụrụ ihe a.
Tell him or her to come when he or she hears this.
Ka and mgbe.
How It Connects
Learn This First
A long sentence adds clauses with na, ma, mgbe, ka and mana, so all five come first.
- na: That
Know na, because it adds a clause: Amaara m na ọ dị mma “I know that it is good”.
Level 3 - ma: Whether
Know ma, because it adds a clause: Amaghị m ma ọ ga-abịa “I do not know whether he or she will come”.
Level 3 - mgbe: When
Know mgbe, because it adds a clause: Mgbe m bịara, ọ nọ n'ụlọ “when I came, he or she was at home”.
Level 3 - ka: So That, To
Know ka, because it adds a clause: Gwa ya ka ọ bịa “tell him or her to come”.
Level 3 - mana: But
Know mana, because long sentences join clauses with it: Achọrọ m ịga, mana enweghi m ego “I want to go, but I have no money”.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Long Sentences in Bubblegum
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