ina + clause

When or if in Context

Level 3

Give the setting after ina, then the response applying there.

How It Works

Ina introduces a temporal or conditional setting. A predicate can follow directly, with its participants after it. The construction ina ... ana also occurs with arrival: the directional particle remains between the verb and ana. The main clause supplies its own response. Ina has no participant agreement endings.

English “when” suits an expected setting; “if” suits an eventuality left open. Compare Ka tae mai a Rangi, which presents an arrival, with Ina tae mai a Rangi, which makes arrival a circumstance for what follows.

The additional ana pattern has no opening e. It neither requires ana in every ina clause nor establishes that ina ... ana is simply the ordinary e ... ana progressive.

Examples (3)

  1. Ina tae mai a Rangi, me tīmata te hui.

    When Rangi arrives, we should begin the meeting.

    A direct predicate establishes the setting.

  2. Ina tae atu ana ngā manuhiri, me noho tātou.

    When the visitors arrive there, we should sit down.

    Uses ina ... ana with directional arrival.

  3. Ina pakaru te matapihi, me tūpato koutou.

    If the window breaks, you should be careful.

    An open eventuality prompts advice to three or more people.

How It Connects

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

ina + clauseLevel 3When or if in Context

Learn This First

Use ina to make arrival or another eventuality the setting for a response. Let context distinguish when from if, and introduce ina ... ana as its witnessed arrival pattern rather than requiring ana in every ina clause.