ti ń

A Continuing Situation Already Begun

Level 2

Subject + ti ń + action can mean ‘has started doing’ or ‘is already doing.’

How It Works

Put ti followed by ń between the subject and action verb. Write the markers separately and preserve the high tone on the syllabic nasal. Their forms remain unchanged across subjects; the verb receives no agreement ending.

Compare Adé ti kọ lẹ́tà náà. ‘Adé has written the letter’ with Adé ti ń kọ lẹ́tà náà. ‘Adé has started writing the letter.’ The second presents writing as underway without asserting that the letter is finished. With a recurring activity, the construction can also present a pattern that has begun.

Discourse supplies the reference time and determines whether ‘has started’ or ‘is already’ best expresses the meaning. The markers do not themselves measure duration or establish uninterrupted activity. Mid-tone aspectual ti differs from relative tí. Likewise, a nearby ti serving another construction must not automatically receive this aspectual analysis.

Examples (3)

  1. Adé ti ń kọ lẹ́tà náà.

    Adé has started writing the letter.

    The writing is underway; the letter need not be finished.

  2. A ti ń ra ìwé.

    We have started buying books.

    A purchasing activity or pattern has begun.

  3. Wọ́n ti ń jó.

    They have started dancing.

    The dancing is already underway.

How It Connects

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

ti ńLevel 2A Continuing Situation Already Begun

Learn This First

Use ti ń when an ongoing activity has already begun.