Bikol/Grammar

Verb Classes

Intransitive Verbs

Intransitive verbs take one affix, «-mag», which places the focus of attention in the sentence on the actor of the verb.

• luwás<v><?> ↔ nagluwás

Transitive Verbs

Transitive verbs can also take the affix «-mag» to focus attention on the actor.

• sublí'<v><?> ↔ nagsublí'

But, transitive verbs can take a second affix, either «-on», «i-», or «-an», to place the focus on the object, the receiver of the action.

• «-on» is the largest class of bases.
  • sublí'<v><?> ↔ subli'ón
• Verb bases in the «i-» class often show an action away from the speaker. This is the affix used on the transitive versions of intransitive verbs.
  • hatód<v><?> ↔ ihatód
  • luwás<v><?> ↔ iluwás
• «-an» works much in the same way as «-on». Note the addition of the -h between the verb and the affix.
  • será<v><?> ↔ serahán