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 |
Aanakanootan!
Practice translating the sentences below. Underline the root verbs as you go through each sentence.
Verb Type 3 Second Endings 32-4
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.
Conversation Practice:
Listen to the conversation below. Do you recognize any of the vocabulary or word parts?
Verb Type 3 Second Endings 32-5