Order of Events

Level 4

Mbụ, then mgbe ahụ, then n'ikpeazụ.

How It Works

Three words tell a short story in order.

WordMeaning
mbụfirst
mgbe ahụthen, at that time
n'ikpeazụfinally, at the end (from ikpeazụ “last”)

Example: Mbụ, anyị riri nri; mgbe ahụ, anyị gara ahịa; n'ikpeazụ, anyị ruru ụlọ. “First we ate; then we went to the market; finally we reached home.”

Each word starts a clause with its own subject and verb. Commas and semicolons in writing mark the steps, and each clause carries its own past form (riri, gara, ruru). In a story the forms usually match. A bare verb such as rie or laa is usually a command or a wish when it stands alone, so each step here carries its own past form.

Examples (4)

  1. Mbụ, anyị riri nri.

    First we ate.

    Mbụ starts.

  2. Mgbe ahụ, anyị gara ahịa.

    Then we went to the market.

    Mgbe ahụ moves on.

  3. N'ikpeazụ, anyị ruru ụlọ.

    Finally we reached home.

    N'ikpeazụ ends.

  4. Mbụ, o riri nri; mgbe ahụ, ọ gara ụlọ akwụkwọ.

    First he or she ate; then he or she went to school.

    A full chain.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Order of EventsLevel 4

Learn This First

The order words use first, second, third and mgbe, so both come first.

Words in This Pattern

mbụmgbe ahụ