Why a Phrase Comes First

Level 6

Time phrases, ko phrases and nā actor frames do different jobs.

How It Works

A time expression can precede an ordinary predicate-first clause and set its scene. Subject and object keep their normal marking. A ko opening gives prominence to a definite participant. Compare Kei te waiata a Wiki with Ko Wiki kei te waiata: the latter can identify Wiki as the singer.

Ko can also establish something already mentioned as a topic for further comment. It does not always introduce new information or exclude every alternative. A definite passive subject can receive this prominence while an e phrase names the actor.

Past actor emphasis uses nā … i. Compare I hanga a Rui i te tēpu with Nā Rui i hanga te tēpu. The second highlights responsibility and changes participant marking: the table lacks active object-marker i. No person agreement ending changes. These distinct frames do not permit unrestricted rearrangement of every phrase.

Examples (4)

  1. Ko Wiki kei te waiata i te wharenui.

    Wiki is the one singing in the meeting house.

    In an identifying context, ko highlights the singer.

  2. Ko taua reta, kua tuhia e Maia.

    As for that letter, Maia has written it.

    The definite passive subject is the topic; e Maia names the writer.

  3. I te ahiahi, ka hoki ngā kaimahi ki te kāinga.

    In the afternoon, the workers returned home.

    The initial past-time setting establishes the ka event's interpretation.

  4. Nā Rui i hanga te tēpu mō te kura.

    Rui was the one who made the table for the school.

    Past actor emphasis has its own participant frame.

How It Connects

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

Why a Phrase Comes FirstLevel 6

Learn This First

Compare scene setting, topic continuation, participant identification and actor emphasis through their complete frames rather than treating initial prominence as unrestricted rearrangement.