Talking about Habitual
Activities
Using the Incompleted Aspect of Verbs
Click on a category, and study each grammar point.
In the incompleted aspect, the mag- affix in mag verbs become nag-, and ma- affixs in ma- verbs become na-, and the first syllables of the verb roots are repeated. The affix -um in -um verbs is used, and the first syllable of the verb root is also repeated. Some verb roots like punta, basa, and kanta and sayaw can take either the mag or um affix without any difference in meaning.
example:
Click on the green button to listen to the
sentence.
Kumakain ako.
Nag-aaral ako sa
laybrari.
Natutulog ako sa otel.
The incompleted aspect of verbs is used to indicate an action that has started and is on-going. This aspect is also used when you describe habitual activities. Oftentimes, a phrase or word that indicates present time is used.
Verb |
Actor (focus) |
Location and/object |
Time Expression |
Kumakain |
siya |
ng kanin |
araw-araw |
Nag-aaral |
ako |
ng leksiyon sa laybrari |
tuwing Sabado |
Natutulog |
sila |
sa otel |
gabi-gabi |
example:
Click on the green button to listen to the
sentence.
Kumakain ako araw-araw.
Nag-aaral ako sa
laybrari tuwing Sabado.
Natutulog sila sa otel
gabi-gabi.
Incompleted aspect in Tagalog is indicated by means of verbal inflection that includes adding the affixes na- and nag- to the root of ma and mag verbs and -um before the first vowel of the root of verbs. The reduplication of the first syllable of the root of verbs indicate that action has started but is not finished.