2013-06-10

Aspected Verbs: The -lI' Verb Suffix

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-lI' in progress is the last Type 7 verb suffix. It describes an ongoing activity approaching a definite end point.

paqvetlh vIlaDI read that book
paqvetlh vIlaDlI'I am reading that book/
(and will, at one point, finish it)
tebHe fills it
teblI'He fills it/
(and at one point, it will be full)

Some other examples, all of which carry the meaning in progress:-

HeghlI' jaghThe enemy is dying
De' vIllablI'I am sending out the data
qaQaylI'I am in the process of transferring you
Holvam mughlI'She is translating this language

Aspected Verbs>

These, then, are the four Type 7 verb suffixes.

-pu' is used for an action which has been completed: the perfective suffix, which in English can be expressed as have done.

-ta' describes an activity which has also been completed, but this carries an element of deliberation and finality.

-taH describes a continuous activity with no definite end goal.

-lI' describes ongoing activity that is in progress and heading towards a definite end goal.

The next lesson also covers time-related sentences: the question word When?

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