How to use the Tagalog Verbs: 

 

1. Find the English root of the verb.
2. Find its Tagalog equivalent.
3. Decide which focus (actor or object) in Tagalog you want to use.
4. In using either actor- or object-focus form of the verb in a

    Tagalog sentence, remember this basic word order in Tagalog:

Verb + Subject + (Adjective) Object

5. Examples:
    The following are examples of actor-  and object-focus

sentences.  The verb is KAIN, conjugated in completed,

incompleted, and contemplated forms, respectively.  

 

 

 

Actor Focus Kumain ako ng tinapay kaninang                      umaga. Kumakain ako ng tinapay ngayon. Kakain ako ng tinapay bukas.

Object Focus Kinain ko ang tinapay kaninang umaga.  Kinakain ko ang tinapay ngayon. Kakainin ko ang tinapay bukas.

   

6.  The examples provided in the tables below are the most

         common Tagalog verbs used by Tagalog speakers. 

       There are verbs that have both -UM- and MAG-actor-focus

      forms, and several object-focus forms (I-, -IN- or -AN). 

 

     Comp=Completed (Perfective) Aspect - action started and

                                                 terminated
     Inc=Incompleted (Imperfective) Aspect - action started but not

                                                yet completed
     Cont=Contemplated Aspect - action not started but anticipated

                                              or contemplated