Some More Pseudo-Verbs
There is another set of pseudo-verbs in Tagalog. These
are the ones that can come before an agent (doer of the action) that is either a NG-phrase/pronoun
or an ANG-phrase/pronoun. In other words, these pseudo-verbs can have the
doer of the action as being either in focus or not in focus.
The following are a few examples. Notice that there is a linker (-ng) attached to the word that comes before the main verb. And the actor pronoun always comes after the pseudo-verb.
| PUWEDE = can; could; may (permission) |
| Puwede + Object-Focus Agent | Puwedeng dalhin ng kaibigan ko ang radyo. My friend can bring the radio. |
| Puwede kong tulungan si Mario. I can help Mario. |
|
| Puwede + Actor-Focus Agent | Puwede magdala ng radyo ang kaibigan ko. My friend can bring a radio. |
| Puwede akong tumulong kay Mario. I can help Mario. |
| MAAARI = might; may (possibility) |
| Maaari + Object-Focus Agent | Maaring ibigay ng guro ang libro sa akin. The teacher might give the book to me. |
| Maaaring tawagan niya si Tess. He might call Tess. |
|
| Maaari + Actor-Focus Agent | Maaaring magbigay ng libro ang guro sa akin. The teacher might give me a book. |
| Maaaring tumawag siya kay Tess. He might call Tess. |
| DAPAT = must; should; have to |
| Dapat + Object-Focus Agent | Dapat isulat ng estudyante ang papel niya. The student must write his paper. |
| Dapat kong bilhan ng regalo si Maria. I have to buy Maria a present. |
|
| Dapat + Actor-Focus Agent | Dapat sumulat ng papel niya ang estudyante. The student must write his paper. |
| Dapat akong bumili ng regalo para kay Maria. I have to buy a present for Maria. |