Following Nested Descriptions
A/nga links a noun to a relative description; idi introduces past-time clauses and inton introduces future-time clauses.
How It Works
Find the main predicate, then identify the noun described by each relative clause and the event located by each time clause. A following relative description joins its head through a/nga. Its verb's voice must select that head: the child is the actor of nagsangit, “cried.” Other participants keep the marking required by their own predicate.
Idi frames a past time relation; its predicate need not always be perfective. Inton introduces a future situation. Neither connective replaces every embedded verb's aspect. In the third example, the friend's arrival is future, while nagluto presents cooking as completed.
Compare the first example's final time clause with the second example's initial idi clause. The first allows Rosa's arrival to time either crying or departure; the second places the man's relative description inside the arrival clause. Context must establish the intended attachment. These combinations require no additional nesting affix or English-style tense agreement.
Examples (3)
- Napan ti ubing a nagsangit idi immay ni Rosa.
The child who cried when Rosa arrived left.
This translation gives the nested reading: Rosa's arrival times the crying. The time clause can also locate the departure, so context must establish the intended attachment.
- Idi immay ti lalaki a nagluto, nagsangit ti ubing.
When the man who cooked arrived, the child cried.
The relative describes the man inside the time clause. The man arrives and cooks; the child cries.
- Agawidak inton umay ti gayyem a nagluto iti pinakbet.
I will go home when the friend who cooked pinakbet comes.
The friend is the actor of both coming and cooking. Inton frames the future arrival; nagluto expresses completed cooking. The attached -ak identifies the speaker as the person going home.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Track each description and time relation with its own predicate.
- Relative a / ngaAdding a Relative Description
Introduces the noun descriptions used within larger time clauses.
Level 2 - Past-Time Clause With idiWhen Something Happened
Provides the past-time frame and distinguishes temporal reference from perfective aspect.
Level 2 - Future-Time Clause With intonWhen Something Will Happen
Provides future event clauses that can contain a noun with a relative description.
Level 2
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice Following Nested Descriptions in Bubblegum
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