i-

Putting an Item in Focus

Level 2

Use i- with a licensed base; its full construction determines the meaning.

How It Works

Use i- with a licensed base. In isubli, the selected participant is the returned item, with another phrase identifying its destination. In instrumental igatang, the selected participant is the buying resource; an iti phrase identifies the purchase.

Compare the affected item in ipirito, “fry,” with the resource in igatang. Agent forms identify the actor. Vowel-final hosts take shortened singular forms: isubli + ko → isublik and ipirito + mo → ipiritom.

Consonant-initial native bases join directly to the prefix. KWF writes initial y with vowel-initial native bases, as in yebkas. Antecedent, causative, and beneficiary constructions need separate analysis.

Examples (3)

  1. Isublik ti libro ken ni Rosa.

    I will return the book to Rosa.

    The book is selected; -k identifies the speaker as actor.

  2. Igatangmo daytoy iti asin.

    Use this to buy salt.

    Daytoy identifies the buying resource.

  3. Ipiritom ti ikan.

    Fry the fish.

    The fish is selected; -m identifies the singular addressee as actor.

How It Connects

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

i-Level 2Putting an Item in Focus

Learn This First

Learn whether each i- verb selects an item, instrument, or another participant.