Focus With ni
Highlighting a Participant
Selected phrase + ni + clause describing its role.
How It Works
Place the phrase you want to highlight before mid-tone ni, then give the clause describing its role. The selected phrase can name an actor, an object, or a circumstance. English often uses “It is/was … that …”. Context and aspect expressions determine time; the focus marker does not establish past time.
The following clause depends on what is selected. Subject focus includes a pronoun referring back to the actor. Object focus leaves the ordinary object position empty. Compare Bísí ra aṣọ, “Bísí bought cloth”, with Aṣọ ni Bísí rà, “It was cloth that Bísí bought”. Preserve the verb tone in this contrast. Time expressions can also precede ni. The marker does not change with participant number. Distinguish it from high-tone ní in possession and location constructions.
Examples (3)
- Títí ni ó mu omi.
It was Títí who drank water.
Ó resumes the selected actor.
- Àpò ni Bísí rà.
It was a bag that Bísí bought.
The focused object leaves its ordinary position empty.
- Ọ̀la ni a máa lọ.
It is tomorrow that we will go.
The time expression receives focus.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- Subject Focus + óHighlighting the Actor
Explains subject resumption after the selected actor.
Level 2 - Highlighting What Is Affected
Explains the object gap and ra/rà contrast.
Level 2 - ní / ni ContrastPossession, Location and Focus
Separates focus from possession and location.
Level 3 - kọ́ / kọ́ niDenying a Selected Identity
Shows denial of the selected constituent.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Focus With ni in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Yoruba lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
