Relative a / nga
Adding a Relative Description
Use noun + a/nga + describing clause.
How It Works
Follow a head noun with a or nga and a describing clause. The expanded noun phrase can participate in a larger sentence. English often uses “who,” “which,” or “that.” The linker has no gender or plural ending; dagiti can mark a plural head.
Compare ti ubing a naanus, “the kind child,” with ti ubing a nagsala, “the child who danced.” The second description reports an event. Its actor-focus verb describes the child as performer. In ti libro a ginatangko, “the book that I bought,” the patient-focus verb describes the purchased item; attached -ko identifies the buyer. Keep the head’s role separate from other participants in its clause.
These examples use KWF’s modern written convention: a before a consonant-initial following word and nga before a vowel-initial one. Selection concerns the following sound. Constantino’s Bantay, Ilocos Sur-based description also attests nga before consonants; that established usage remains valid in his described variety.
Examples (3)
- Naanus ti ubing a nagsala.
The child who danced is kind.
The child performs the completed dancing event; a precedes consonant-initial nagsala.
- Napintas ti libro a ginatangko.
The book that I bought is beautiful.
The book is the patient of ginatang; attached -ko identifies the speaker as buyer.
- Adda ditoy dagiti tao nga agluto.
The people who cook are here.
Dagiti marks the plural group. Nga precedes agluto. The English meaning selects its supported habitual reading; a future reading is also possible in an appropriate context.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Follow a noun with a linked clause describing it.
Related Patterns
- Following Who Does What
Explains the actor and patient roles used in these relative clauses.
Level 2 - Selecting a Relative-Clause Participant
Develops voice choice for the participant described by a relative clause.
Level 4 - The One Who or What
Extends relative descriptions to constructions without an expressed head noun.
Level 4 - Nested Relative a / ngaDescriptions Inside Descriptions
Develops descriptions containing nouns with further relative descriptions.
Level 6
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Relative a / nga in Bubblegum
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