i a + object
A Personal Object
I a marks a personal object after a suitable verb.
How It Works
I kite au i a Mere says I saw Mere. The first i introduces a past predicate; the second belongs to the personal object phrase.
With the third-person pronoun the complete object phrase is i a ia. Preserve the spaces: ia by itself means one third person, while i a marks that person’s role in this construction. With ahau, i ahau is a common full form.
Examples (3)
- I kite au i a Mere.
I saw Mere.
- Kei te kite au i a koe.
I can see you (one person).
- I kite a Mere i a ia.
Mere saw them (one person).
How It Connects
Learn This First
Teach personal objects as complete marked phrases, including i a Mere, i a koe and i a ia. Preserve the distinction between initial past i and object marking, and introduce i ahau as the supported full first-person form.
- i + objectMarking an Object
The ordinary object lesson establishes the role of the affected phrase, which this lesson extends to personal names and pronouns.
Level 1 - koe / iaYou and They for One Person
Knowing bare ia as a singular third-person pronoun makes the spacing and role contrast between ia and the complete object phrase i a ia intelligible.
Level 1
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice i a + object in Bubblegum
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