saan
Negating a Predicate
Use saan + a/nga + predicate, with dependent pronouns hosted by the negative word.
How It Works
Saan can negate verbal, descriptive, nominal, and other predicates. A linker connects the negative expression to what follows. KWF's modern convention uses a before a consonant-initial following sound and nga before a vowel-initial sound. Reference grammars also attest wider nga use; those varieties use the same linker in these additional environments.
Dependent pronouns shift to the negative host. Modern spelling joins them: saankami contains exclusive subject “we,” whereas saanmi contains an exclusive actor pronoun appropriate to predicates such as kayat. Their roles are different.
Saan a naimas ti makan denies that food is delicious; Awan ti makan states that there is no food. Madi separately expresses non-desire. Saan itself does not supply tense. It can also deny a focused participant, rather than a property, when the following marked phrase and clause form that construction.
Examples (3)
- Saan a naimas ti makan.
The food is not delicious.
The adjective's property is denied.
- Saan nga agluto ni Rosa.
Rosa will not cook.
The contemplated actor-focus action is denied.
- Saanmi a kayat dayta.
We do not like that.
Mi marks the exclusive actor of kayat.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- saan a / saan ngaLinking a Negative Predicate
Explains the linked negative frame.
Level 1 - Pronouns in Negative Clauses
Explains the negative pronoun host.
Level 2 - awanSaying There Is None
Expresses absence.
Level 1 - madiNot Wanting an Action
Expresses non-desire.
Level 2 - saan + Focused Noun / PredicateWhat the Negative Statement Denies
Develops the distinction between participant denial and property denial.
Level 5
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Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice saan in Bubblegum
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