Negated object voice

Level 4

When using the object voice (passive with 1st/2nd person pronouns), the negation word (e.g., tidak, belum) must be placed before the pronoun. You cannot separate the pronoun from the verb root.

How It Works

In standard Malay, the object voice is the required way to form a passive sentence when the actor is 'I' (saya/aku) or 'we' (kami/kita). Similarly, the second-person object voice is used for 'you' (anda/kamu).

A common challenge for learners is where to place negation words like tidak (not) or belum (not yet).

Key Rules:

  • No Prefixes: The verb must be in its root form (no meN- prefix).
  • The Inseparable Unit: The pronoun and the verb root are treated as one block. You cannot say 'Saya tidak baca' in the passive; it must be 'Tidak saya baca'.
  • Word Order: The structure is Object + Negator + Pronoun + Verb Root.

This pattern is essential for formal writing and educated speech. While it might feel counter-intuitive compared to active voice (where the negator follows the subject), it is a fundamental rule of Malay syntax.

Examples (5)

  1. Buku itu tidak saya baca.

    I did not read that book.

    Word by Word: Book that not I read.

    Notice that 'tidak' comes before 'saya'. The unit 'saya baca' cannot be split.

  2. Tugasan ini belum kami siapkan.

    We have not yet finished this assignment.

    Word by Word: Assignment this not-yet we finish.

    The negator 'belum' precedes the pronoun 'kami' and the root 'siapkan'.

  3. Surat itu tidak perlu anda tandatangani.

    You do not need to sign that letter.

    Word by Word: Letter that not need you sign.

    Even when adding an auxiliary like 'perlu' (need), the entire negative phrase 'tidak perlu' stays before the pronoun 'anda'.

  4. Nasihat itu tidak kami endahkan.

    We did not heed that advice.

    Word by Word: Advice that not we heed.

    A formal example showing the object 'nasihat' followed by the negated actor-verb unit.

  5. Kerja itu belum aku buat.

    I haven't done that work yet.

    Word by Word: Work that not-yet I do.

    Using the familiar pronoun 'aku', the rule remains the same: 'belum' must come first.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing the negator between the pronoun and the verb root.

    Buku itu saya tidak baca.
    Buku itu tidak saya baca.

    In the object voice, the pronoun and verb root are 'annexed' and cannot be separated by any word, including negators.

  • Keeping the active prefix (meN-) in a passive construction.

    Buku itu tidak saya membaca.
    Buku itu tidak saya baca.

    The object voice requires the verb root. The 'meN-' prefix is only for active voice sentences.

  • Using the 'di-' passive for first or second person actors.

    Buku itu tidak dibaca oleh saya.
    Buku itu tidak saya baca.

    Standard Malay grammar (Tatabahasa Dewan) considers 'di- + oleh saya/anda' ungrammatical. You must use the object voice for 1st and 2nd person.

How It Connects

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

Negated object voiceLevel 4

Learn This First

To understand negated object voice, you must first be comfortable with the basic object voice (where the actor is placed directly before the verb root) and how the negative markers 'tidak' and 'belum' function in standard sentences.