Verb Type 3 – “An” Second Endings
To tell stories and ask questions you need to do more than make simple, direct statements. You can certainly use Verb Type 1 to describe the setting and you can state what is happening, but to show that a verb is somehow connected to other thoughts you need to know the second ending for Verb Type 3 just as we did with Verb Type 2. The second ending is always used after an “A” question, a connecting word (“giishpin izhaayaan” – if I go) or following another verb (“nimbakademin mii wiisiniyaang” – just us are hungry so we are eating). Sometimes while telling a story a person will use all second endings.
When to use First Endings:
- It is the first verb in the sentence, and it is not an “A” Question.
When to use Second Endings:
- It is an “A” Question.
- It is the Second, Third, Fourth… verb in the sentence.
- The sentence starts with “if… and…” then…” you can use second endings throughout the sentence.
Let’s review our “A” Questions and our Words to Connect our Thoughts:
In English these are the “who, what, why” questions. These are also known as “A” Questions.
| Awenen (w), Wegonesh / Wenesh (e) – Who Aaniin (w) / Wenesh (e) – What Aaniindi (w) / Aapiish (e) – Where |
Aaniin ezhi – How Aaniin dash / Aaniin wenji – Why Aaniin apii (w) / Weneshpii (e) – When |
Other words that connect your thoughts include:
Verb Type 3 Second Endings Connecting words
| gaye, miinawaa – also, and, again aanawi, misawaa – although megwaa, epiichi – while gemaa, ganabaj – maybe noongom – today |
mii dash / dash – then mii – so giishpin – if azhigwa – already waaban – tomorrow |
jibwaa – before ishkwaa – after noonde- – before the usual time naagaj, baamaapii – later bijiinaago – yesterday |
Here are some examples using Verb Type 3 – “an” Second Endings:
Verb Type 3 Second Endings 32-3
- Aaniin dash doodooshaaboo minikwaadamaan?
Why am I drinking milk?
Note: Placing the milk before the verb emphasizes the noun in the question. Syntax and connecting words are often used to achieve what English uses stress to achieve. - Awenen minikwaadang doodooshaaboo?
Who is drinking milk? - Ningii-nandawendaanan waawanoon mii jiibaakwaadamaan waawan-biitoonigan.
I wanted eggs so I cooked an egg sandwich.
When reviewing the chart below you will notice you do not use any prefixes when using a Second Ending.
| Pronoun | 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 + aan (an) nin (initial d,j,g,z,zh) nim (initial b) nind (initial vowel) |
verb + amaan |
| giin | you | gi + verb + aan (an) gid (initial vowel) gim (initial b) |
verb + aman |
| wiin | he / she | o + verb + aan(an) | verb + ang |
| niinawind | just us | ni + verb + aamin nin (initial d,j,g,z,zh) nim (initial b) nind (initial vowel) |
verb + amaang |
| giinawind | all of us | gi + verb + aamin gid (initial vowel) gim (initial b) |
verb + amang |
| giinawaa | you all | gi + verb + aanaawaa (n) gid (initial vowel) gim (initial b) |
verb + ameg |
| wiinawaa | them | o + verb + aanaawaa (n) | verb + amowaad |
Aanikanootan (Translate It)
Practice translating the sentences below. Underline the root verbs as you go through each sentence.
Root Verb: ayan
Note: both the noun and verb are singular.
Root Verb: giizikan
Note: The noun is plural, but the verb does not have a plural ending when using second endings.
Root Verbs: biizikan & giizikan
Note: both the nouns and verbs are singular.
Root Verbs: jiibaakwaadan & minikwaadan
Note: the noun for ‘meat’ is plural and the verb for ‘cook’ is plural. Liquids do not become plural.
Root Verbs: ozhibii’an & nagamo (Verb Type 2)
Note: noun is plural, but the verb does not have a plural ending when using second endings. If a sentence starts with “if…” “and…” then…” you can use second endings throughout the sentence.
Bizindan (Listen to It)
Listen to the conversation below. Do you recognize any of the vocabulary or word parts?