Adverbial Participle -ot / -oties
While or When: -ot
The -ot form (reflexive -oties) sets the scene for the main action: Ejot uz darbu, es satiku draugu (Going to work, I met a friend). It never changes its ending.
How It Works
1. Forming it. Take the es form of the present, drop the ending, and add -ot. Reflexive verbs add -oties:
- iet → es eju → ejot
- lasīt → es lasu → lasot
- braukt → es braucu → braucot
- atgriezties → es atgriežos → atgriežoties
- būt → esot
2. What it means. The action happens at the same time as the main verb. Depending on context it means while, when, on the way or by (doing):
- Lasot šo grāmatu, es daudz ko uzzināju. (While reading this book, I learned a lot.)
- Viņa runāja smaidot. (She spoke with a smile.)
- Braucot pa pilsētu, ievērojiet ātruma ierobežojumu. (When driving in town, keep to the speed limit.)
3. It does not agree. Unlike -dams -dama, the -ot form has one shape for everyone: viņš ejot, viņa ejot, viņi ejot.
4. Another doer. The -ot action can also belong to someone other than the subject. You can name that person in the dative: Man ienākot, visi piecēlās (When I came in, everyone stood up). See dative absolute with -ot.
5. Same shape as the renarrative. Ejot and esot are also renarrative verbs (Viņš esot slims, see renarrative -ot). The difference is the job: the renarrative is the main verb, while the participle is a side phrase, usually set off by a comma.
Commas. A participial phrase with its own words is set off by commas: Ejot uz darbu, es satiku draugu. A single -ot right after the verb has none: Viņa runāja smaidot.
Examples (5)
- Ejot uz darbu, es satiku draugu.
On my way to work, I met a friend.
Word by Word: Going to work, I met friend.
- Atgriežoties mājās, viņš nopirka maizi.
On his way home, he bought bread.
Word by Word: Returning home, he bought bread.
Atgriezties is reflexive, so the form ends in -oties.
- Lasot šo grāmatu, es daudz ko uzzināju.
While reading this book, I learned a lot.
Word by Word: Reading this book, I much what learned.
- Viņa runāja smaidot.
She spoke with a smile.
Word by Word: She spoke smiling.
- Braucot pa pilsētu, ievērojiet ātruma ierobežojumu.
When driving in town, keep to the speed limit.
Word by Word: Driving along town, observe speed limit.
A typical instruction. The -ot form works for anyone who is driving.
Common Mistakes
Building -ot on the infinitive instead of the present stem.
Braukot mājās, es klausījos radio.Braucot mājās, es klausījos radio.The -ot form comes from the present: es braucu → braucot. The k of braukt changes to c here.
Dropping -ies from a reflexive verb.
Atgriežot mājās, viņš nopirka maizi.Atgriežoties mājās, viņš nopirka maizi.Atgriezties is reflexive, so it needs -oties. Atgriežot would mean 'returning something' (giving it back).
Leaving out the comma after the participial phrase.
Ejot uz darbu es satiku draugu.Ejot uz darbu, es satiku draugu.A participle with its own words (uz darbu) forms a phrase that is set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma.
How It Connects
Learn This First
-ot is the unchanging adverbial participle.
Related Patterns
- -dams Versus -otChoosing Between -dams and -ot
This entry explains when to choose -dams and when -ot.
Level 5 - Dative Absolute With -otDative with -ot
A dative doer with -ot makes a time phrase for a different person: Man ienākot.
Level 6 - Renarrative -otReported Information: -ot
The renarrative mood uses the same -ot ending, but as the main verb.
Level 5 - ne- + -dams or -otWithout Doing Something
Ne- with -ot means 'without doing': Nedomājot viņa piekrita.
Level 5 - gribot negribotLike It or Not
Gribot negribot is a fixed phrase made of two -ot forms.
Level 6
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Adverbial Participle -ot / -oties in Bubblegum
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