Writing na- and ga- With a Hyphen

Foundations

Write na-eri and ga-abịa with a hyphen. A pronoun or name stays apart.

How It Works

Two small helpers work with the verb. Na- shows an action in progress or a habit. Ga- shows the future. In standard spelling a hyphen joins each helper to the verb right after it.

HelperExampleMeaning
na-Ha na-eri nri.They are eating food.
ga-Ọ ga-abịa.He or she will come.

The hyphen helps because the helper ends in a and the verb often begins with a or e. Some writers drop it, so you will see na agụ too. Both are understood.

The negative helpers naghị and gaghị and the other suffix forms are written apart from the verb, with no hyphen.

Examples (4)

  1. Ọ na-agụ akwụkwọ.

    He or she is reading.

    The hyphen joins na- to agụ.

  2. Anyị ga-eri nri.

    We will eat.

    The hyphen joins ga- to eri.

  3. Ha na-eri nri.

    They are eating.

    The pronoun ha stays apart.

  4. Ọ ga-abịa echi.

    He or she will come tomorrow.

    Ga- and abịa are joined.

Common Mistakes

  • A hyphen with the negative helper

    Ọ gaghị-abịa.
    Ọ gaghị abịa.

    Negative helpers are written apart from the verb, with no hyphen.

How It Connects

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

Writing na- and ga- With a HyphenFoundations

Words in This Pattern

naga