Verb Type 2 – A Second Way to Say Someone is Doing Something

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 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 the first verb in an “A” Question/
• It is the Second, Third, Fourth… verb in the sentence.

In English these are the “who, what, why” questions. These are also known as “A” Questions.

Verb Types 2 2nd End-1

Other words that connect your thoughts include:

Verb Types 2 2nd End-2

When reviewing the chart below you will notice you do not use any prefixes when using a Second Ending.

Aanakanootan! Translate the Following Sentences!

Note: There are both western (w) and eastern (e) dialect examples in the examples below.

Verb Types 2 2nd End-3

Listen to the conversation below. Do you recognize any verbs or verb parts? Do you notice when a speaker begins to use all second endings? Do you notice when one speaker says “we” and excludes the person listening?

Verb Types 2 2nd End-4

Now that you have practiced using second endings, use this full chart to reference for an easier way to create sentences and stories. Practice writing your own!