Back
Intermediate

Object Focus Verbs

-in (and i-)

Object focus uses -in (or i-)

The thing acted on is the focus, marked by ang.

📊 Object-focus aspect (basa 'read')
Aspect Form
infinitive basahin
completed binasa
incompleted binabasa
contemplated babasahin
💬 Examples
Kinain ng bata ang mansanas.
The child ate the apple.
📝 -in object focus (completed: kinain)
Babasahin ko ang libro.
I will read the book.
📝 basa → babasahin (contemplated)
The actor becomes ng (non-focus)

The doer is demoted.

💬 Examples
Ginawa ko ito.
I did this.
📝 ko = ng-set actor; ito = focus
Binili niya ang kotse.
He/She bought the car.
📝 niya = actor (ng); ang kotse = focus
Object focus implies a definite object

'the', not 'a'.

💬 Examples
Kinain ko ang isda.
I ate the fish.
📝 Definite object (in focus)
Kumain ako ng isda.
I ate (some) fish.
📝 Compare: actor focus = indefinite object