Verbs

Verbal particle stack

Naikaumi expresses tense, modality, certainty, and related discourse distinctions with preverbal particles rather than rich inflection. The default order is:

O-S (ha) (TAM) (certainty) V

Examples:

• Ōkhari-ri hanu mut. “I drank water.”

• Ōkhari-ri hanu saku mut. “I definitely drank water.”

• Ōkhari-ri koi sanu mut. “I will probably drink water.”

• Kani-ri hanu ram aukang. “I came here earlier, and that earlier event matters now.”

• Kani-ri hanu ha aukang. “I came here earlier, but that earlier event is not relevant now.”