Chapter 8: Verb Structures

Question 1

What is the normal word order in a Tahitian sentence?

Answer 1

Verb+ Subject+ Object

Question 2

te + verb + nei + subject

Answer 2

Present continuous or immediate future tense.

Question 3

te + verb + ra + subject

Answer 3

Imperfect tense. “Was doing and has been for some time” Distant from the speaker.

Question 4

‘ua + verb + subject

Answer 4

Past action and present state. Finished action with results in the present. ANY past tense.

Question 5

‘i + verb + subject

Answer 5

Recently completed action.

Question 6

‘i + verb + iho [nei, ra] + subject

Answer 6

Very recent past tense, to have “just” done something.

Question 7

‘e mea maora + nominalized verb

Answer 7

Non-verbal sentence indicating the distant past.

Question 8

‘ua oti + possessive adjective + noun + ‘i te + verb

Answer 8

Emphasizes the completion of a task or action. Substitute pau for oti when it refers to eating.

Question 9

‘ua mātau + subject + ‘i te + verb

Answer 9

Habitual action.

Question 10

‘e + verb + subject

Answer 10

Any future tense.

Question 11

mai + verb + roa + subject

Answer 11

Frustrative form, “almost”.

Question 12

verb + hia + subject + object + agent

Answer 12

Passive structure 1.

Question 13

nā + agent + verb + subject

Answer 13

Passive structure 2, emphasis on the agent.