Verb Type 3 – “An” Not Happening

Sometimes it is important to say what someone is not doing. The negative suffixes for a Verb Type 3 verb are different than what we learned for Verb Type 1 and 2. The following chart can be used to learn the Not Happening conjugations for Verb Type 3 verbs that end in “an.”

The following formula can be used when creating a statement that is not happening:

(gaawiin) + (pronoun prefix) + (verb) + (negative suffix)

Pay close attention to when the verb matches the plural noun (in all forms except niinawind and giinawind). This means that you make the verb plural when there is a plural noun.

To keep the conjugations consistent, we still ask that you remove the “an” ending just like you would for a “it’s happening” statement. This is so you don’t have to remember extra steps while learning. You will notice that it appears back in each suffix.

Pronoun In Ojibwe Pronoun In English Single Statement
*remove the “an” and conjugate
* add (an) for plural sometimes
Question or Connected
*remove the “an” and conjugate
* no plural form needed
niin I ni + verb + anziin (an)
nin (initial d,j,g,z,zh)
nim (initial b)
nind (initial vowel)
verb + anziwaan
giin you gi + verb + anziin (an)
gid (initial vowel)
gim (initial b)
verb + anziwan
wiin he / she o + verb + anziin (an) verb + anzig
niinawind just us ni + verb + anziimin
nin (initial d,j,g,z,zh)
nim (initial b)
nind (initial vowel)
verb + anziwaang
giinawind all of us gi + verb + anziimin
gid (initial vowel)
gim (initial b)
verb + anziwang
giinawaa you all gi + verb + anziinaawaa (n)
gid (initial vowel)
gim (initial b)
verb + anziweg
wiinawaa them o + verb + anziinaawaa (n) verb + anzigwaa

 

The noun associated with your not happening statement can come before or after the verb that is not happening, as long as “gaawiin” and the verb are next to each other. When the noun comes before the verb it places emphasis on the noun. Syntax and connecting words are often used to achieve what English uses stress to achieve.

For example:

(noun) + (gaawiin) + (pronoun prefix) + (verb) + (negative suffix)

OR

(gaawiin) + (pronoun prefix) + (verb) + (negative suffix) + (noun)

Notice where these two options are displayed in the sentences below. There are 5 single statement sentences and 5 question or connected thought statements. Can you translate them?

Try to identify:
  • 1 root verb (Verb Type 2)
  • 12 root verbs (Verb Type 3)
  • The pronoun and suffixes on each verb.
  • 5 plural nouns.
  • An example of past and future tense.
  • Emphasis placed on the noun rather than the verb.

Single Statements:

Verb Type 3 An Second Endings Not Happening-1

1. Sandwiches just us do not see.

Root Verb: waabandan
*the noun is plural but the verb does not become plural when the pronoun is niinawind.

2. I am not listening to the story.

Root Verb: bizindan
*both the noun and verb are singular.

3. They do not write stories.

Root Verb: ozhibii’an
*both the noun and verb are plural.

4. She/he does not hear the television.

Root Verb: noondan
*both the noun and verb are singular.

5. Two eggs you did not cook.

Root Verb: jiibaakwaadan
*both the noun and verb are plural.

Questions or Connected Thoughts Statements:

Verb Type 3 An Second Endings Not Happening-2

1. Why don’t you want peas?

Root Verb: nandawendan
*The noun is plural, but the verb does not receive a plural ending when using second endings.

2. All of us entered and all of us didn’t take off our shoes.

Root Verbs: biindige (VT2) & giizikan
*The noun is plural, but the Verb Type 3 does not receive a plural ending when using second endings. Verb Type 2 does not have plural endings because a noun is not associated with that verb type.

3. Who will not put on coats tomorrow? (speaker is speaking to you all)

Root Verb: biizikan
*The noun is plural, but the verb does not receive a plural ending when using second endings.

4. All of us do not want milk so all of us do not ask for it.

Root Verbs: nanadawendan & nandodan
*Liquid nouns do not have a plural form. Both the noun and verbs are singular.

5. Story I do not hear, and I do not understand.

Root Verbs: noondan & nisidotan
*both the noun and verbs are singular.

Giintam!

Now try and create your own sentences!

Bizindan (Listen to It)

Do you recognize the “Not Happening” endings? What verbs do you recognize?

Verb Type 3 – An Second Endings Not Happening-3

A: Do you want my sandwich?
B: What kind is it?
A: Turkey meat
B: I don’t like turkey meat
A: I don’t really care then too much what you don’t like…

Share This Lesson, Choose Your Platform!