Highlighting a Person

Level 3

Agsuratak reports my action; Siak ti agsurat identifies me as the writer.

How It Works

Place an independent pronoun before ti and an identifying predicate. With an actor-focus verb, the pronoun identifies the actor. Compare Agsuratak, “I will write,” with Siak ti agsurat, “I am the one who will write.” Independent siak can answer an identity question alone; attached -ak needs a host.

Dakami excludes the addressee, datayo includes the addressee, and dual data refers to the speaker and addressee together. Dakayo addresses several people or respectfully one person. Isu does not distinguish gender. These distinctions remain separate from verbal voice: the identifying predicate must select the intended participant. The unreduplicated actor verbs here permit contemplated readings. Context supplies the contrast; there is no special contrast affix.

Examples (3)

  1. Siak ti agluto iti pinakbet.

    I am the one who will cook pinakbet.

    Siak identifies the actor of agluto.

  2. Sika ti agsurat inton bigat.

    You are the one who will write tomorrow.

    The independent pronoun identifies the writer.

  3. Dakami ti agawid; isuda ti agtrabaho.

    We, excluding you, are the ones who will go home; they are the ones who will work.

    The independent plural pronouns contrast the actors.

How It Connects

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

Highlighting a PersonLevel 3

Learn This First

Use an independent pronoun to identify or contrast a participant.

Words in This Pattern

siaksikaisuda