Editing Tagalog grammar

{{Short description|Grammar of the Tagalog language}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=May 2008}}
{{Technical|date=June 2023}}
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'''Tagalog grammar''' (Tagalog: ''Balarilà ng Tagalog'') are the rules that describe the structure of expressions in the [[Tagalog language]], one of the languages in [[Philippines|the Philippines]].

In Tagalog, there are nine parts of speech: [[nouns]] (''pangngalan''), [[pronouns]] (''panghalíp''), [[verbs]] (''pandiwà''), [[adverbs]] (''pang-abay''), [[adjectives]] (''pang-urì''), [[prepositions]] (''pang-ukol''), [[conjunction (grammar)|conjunctions]] (''pangatníg''), [[Ligature (grammar)|ligatures]] (''pang-angkóp'') and [[Particle (grammar)|particle]]s.

Tagalog is an [[Agglutinative language|agglutinative]] yet slightly [[Inflection|inflected]] language.

[[Pronoun]]s are inflected for [[Grammatical number|number]] and [[verb]]s for [[Focus (linguistics)|focus]]/[[Voice (grammar)|voice]] and [[Grammatical aspect|aspect]].

==Verbs==
Tagalog verbs are complex and are changed by taking on many affixes reflecting [[Focus (linguistics)|focus]]/[[Trigger (linguistics)|trigger]], [[Aspect (linguistics)|aspect]] and [[Mood (linguistics)|mood]]. Below is a chart of the main verbal [[affix]]es, which consist of a variety of [[Prefix (linguistics)|prefixes]], [[suffix]]es, [[infix]]es, and [[circumfix]]es.

Conventions used in the chart:
* ''CV~'' stands for [[reduplication]] of the first syllable of a root word; that is, the first <u>c</u>onsonant (if any) and the first <u>v</u>owel of the word.
* ''N'' stands for a <u>n</u>asal consonant, which are ''m'', ''n'', or ''ng''. 
** ''m'' is used when the prefixed word starts with the consonants ''b'' or ''p''
** ''n'' is used before the consonants ''d'', ''t'', and ''l''
** in all other cases, ''ng'' /ŋ/ is used
* ''∅'' means that the verb root is used, therefore no affixes are added.
* Punctuation marks indicate the type of affix a particular bound [[morpheme]] is:
** hyphens mark prefixes if placed after the morpheme (''e.g., mag<u>-</u>''), or suffixes if placed before it (''e.g., <u>-</u>han'')
** ''{{angbr}}'' marks infixes, which is typically placed before the first vowel of the word, and after the first consonant if there is any. Thus, the word "''sumulat''" ''(s{{angbr|um}}ulat)'' is composed of the root word ''sulat'' and the infix ''{{angbr|um}}''. 
** ''~'' is used to separate the reduplicated morpheme (CV), from the root word, such that "''susulat''" is written as ''(su~sulat)'' and "''sumusulat''" as ''(s{{angbr|um}}u~sulat)''.

{| class="wikitable"
!&nbsp;
!Complete
!Progressive
!Contemplative
!Infinitive
!Imperative
|-
!Actor trigger I
| {{angbr|um}}<br />''bumasa''
| C{{angbr|um}}V~<br />''bumabasa''
| CV~<br />''babasa''
| {{angbr|um}}<br />''bumasa''
|∅
|-
!Actor trigger II
|nag-<br />''nagbasa''
|nag-CV~<br />''nagbabasa''
|mag-CV~<br />''magbabasa''
|mag-<br />''magbasa''
|pag-<br />''pagbasa''
|-
!Actor trigger III
|na-<br />''nabasa''
|na-CV~<br />''nababasa''
|ma-CV~<br />''mababasa''
|ma-<br />''mabasa''
|pa-<br />''pabasa''
|-
!Actor trigger IV
|naN- (nang-, nam-, nan-) <br />''nangbasa (nambasa)''
|naN-CV~<br />''nangbabasa (nambabasa)''
|maN-CV~<br />''mangbabasa (mambabasa)''
|maN-<br />''mangbasa (mambasa)''
|paN-<br />''pangbasa (pambasa)''
|-
!Object trigger I
| {{angbr|in}}<br />''binasa''
| C{{angbr|in}}V~<br />''binabasa''
|CV~ ... -(h)in<br />''babasahin''
| -(h)in<br />''basahin''
| -a (or verb root)<br />''basa''
|-
!Object trigger II
|i{{angbr|in}}-<br />''ibinasa''
|i-C{{angbr|in}}V~<br />''ibinabasa''
|i-CV~<br />''ibabasa''
|i-<br />''ibasa''
| -(h)an/-(h)in<br />''basaan''
|-
!Object trigger III
| {{angbr|in}} ... -(h)an<br />''binasahan''
|C{{angbr|in}}V~ ... -(h)an<br />''binabasahan''
|CV~ ... -(h)an<br />''babasahan''
| -(h)an<br />''basahan''
| -(h)i <br />''basahi''
|-
!Locative trigger
| {{angbr|in}} ... -(h)an<br />''binasahan''
|C{{angbr|in}}V~ ... -(h)an<br />''binabasahan''
|CV~ ... -(h)an<br />''babasahan''
| -(h)an<br />''basahan''
|∅
|-
!Benefactive trigger
|i{{angbr|in}}-<br />''ibinasa''
|i-C{{angbr|in}}V~<br />''ibinabasa''
|i-CV~<br />''ibabasa''
|i-<br />''ibasa''
|∅
|-
!Instrument trigger
|ip{{angbr|in}}aN-<br />''ipinambasa''
|ip{{angbr|in}}aN-CV~<br />''ipinambabasa''
|ipaN-CV~<br />''ipambabasa''
|ipaN-<br />''ipambasa''
|∅
|-
!Reason trigger
|ik{{angbr|in}}a-<br />''ikinabasa''
|ik{{angbr|in}}a-CV~<br />''ikinababasa''
|ika-CV~<br />''ikababasa''
|ika-<br />''ikabasa''
|∅
|-
|}

With object-focus verbs in the completed and progressive aspects, the infix ''-in-'' frequently becomes the prefix ''ni-'' if the root word begins with {{IPA|/l/}}, {{IPA|/r/}}, {{IPA|/w/}}, or {{IPA|/j/}}; e.g., ''linalapitan'' or ''nilalapitan'' and ''inilagáy'' or ''ilinagáy''.

When suffixing ''-in'' and ''-an'' to a word that ends in a vowel, an [[epenthesis|epenthetic]] ''h'' is inserted. This helps to distinguish them from words that have a [[glottal stop]], which is usually not written except when [[diacritics|diacritical marks]] are applied, such that "''basa''" (''to read'') becomes "''basahin''" while "''basa''" (''to be wet'', otherwise spelt as "''basâ''") becomes "''basaín''" pronounced with a glottal stop.

The imperative affixes are not often used in Manila, but they do exist in other Tagalog speaking provinces.

=== Archaic Forms ===
{| class="wikitable"
!&nbsp;
!Complete
!Progressive
!Contemplative
!Infinitive
!Imperative
|-
! Archaic Actor trigger I<br />(Unassimilated)
| {{angbr|ungm}} or  {{angbr|ingm}}<br />''bungmasa'', ''tingmingin''
| C{{angbr|ungm}}V~ or C{{angbr|ingm}}V~<br />''bungmabasa'', ''tingmitingin''
| CV~<br />''babasa'' 
| {{angbr|um}}<br />''bumasa''
|∅
|-
! Archaic Actor trigger I<br />(Assimilated)
| b/p → n<br />''nasa''
| b/p → n + REDUP<br />''nanasa''
| b/p → m + REDUP<br />''mamasa''
| b/p → m<br />''masa''
|∅
|}

In old Tagalog, the complete and progressive aspects of actor trigger I was marked with the affix "-''ungm''-" or "-''ingm''-', while "-<u>um</u>-" was used solely as the infinitive form. The rule is that when a verb has an "''i''" in its initial syllable, the infix used is "-''ingm''-" like "''tingmingin''" (''looked'', complete aspect) and "''tingmitingin''" (''is looking'', progressive aspect), otherwise "-''ungm''-" is used. This is a case called [[vowel harmony]]. 
Another archaic feature is when a verb starts in a "''b''" or "''p''", which becomes an "''n''" for the complete and progressive aspects, and "''m''" for contemplative and infinitive. The word "''pasok''" (''to enter'') therefore becomes "''nasok''" (complete), "''nanasok''" (progressive), "''mamasok''" (contemplative), and "''masok''" (infinitive).
Though these have been lost in the Manila dialect, they are preserved in some Tagalog dialects. The allophones "''d''" and "''r''" are still somewhat preserved when it comes to verbs like "dating (to arrive)" but it is sometimes ignored.

===Trigger===
The central feature of verbs in Tagalog and other Philippine languages is the ''[[Austronesian alignment|trigger system]]'', often called [[grammatical voice|voice]] or [[focus (linguistics)|focus]].<ref>Tagalog voice does not correspond well to the terms active and passive, nor to active and antipassive in ergative languages. The term ''focus'', as used in ergative languages, is also an inadequate way of describing the Tagalog voice, therefore the distinct term ''trigger'' has become common to describe languages with Philippine-type alignment systems.</ref> In this system, the [[thematic relation]] ([[agent (grammar)|agent]], [[patient (grammar)|patient]], or other oblique relations{{snd}}location, direction, etc.) of the noun marked by the direct-case particle is encoded in the verb.

==== Actor trigger forms ====
Also known as the agent trigger, agent focus, actor focus, or by the abbreviations AT or AF. This verb form triggers a reading of the direct noun (marked by "''ang''") as the [[agent (grammar)|agent]] of the clause. The main affixes/forms under this trigger are ''-um-'', ''mag-'', ''ma-'', and ''mang-''; while their derivatives (e.g., ''maka-'', ''ma- -an'', ''magsi-'', etc.) may also function as actor focus. 

Some verb roots only take one of the main affixes to form the actor trigger of that verb, such as "''tingín''" (to look) which only uses the ''-um-'' conjugation as its actor trigger form. Other root words may take two or more, such as "''sulat''" (to write) which could take ''mag-'' and ''-um-'' conjugations. In such instances, the different verb forms may have the same exact meaning, or they may have some slight nuances. In the case of "''sulat''", "''magsulat''" is closer to the meaning of physically writing a letter, while "''sumulat''" is closer to the meaning of sending a letter out.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tagalog.com/dictionary/sumulat |title=Sumulat in English: Definition of the Tagalog verb sumulat }}</ref> "''sayáw''" (to dance), on the other hand, has "''sumayáw''" and "''magsayáw''" which mean the same thing. Furthermore, there are a few root verbs that derive opposite meanings through these affixes, such as in the case of "''bilí''" (to buy), where "''bumilí''" means to buy and "''magbilí''" is to sell.

The difference between these four actor trigger forms are complicated and there seems to be no consistent rule dictating when one form should be used over another. That said, memorizing what affixes a verb root uses and its corresponding meaning is essential in learning Tagalog.

* ''ma-'' is only used with a few roots which are semantically intransitive, for example, ''matulog'' (to sleep) and ''maligò'' (to bathe). ''Ma-'' is not to be confused with ''ma-'', a patient-trigger prefix verb form.

==== Object trigger forms ====
Otherwise known as the patient trigger, patient focus, object focus, or by its initials OT, OF, PT, or PF. This verb form triggers a reading of the direct noun (marked by "''ang''") as the [[patient (grammar)|patient]] of the clause. There are three main affixes/forms used in this trigger, ''-in-'', ''i-'', and ''-an'':
* ''-in'' is the most commonly used patient trigger form. It is generally used with:
** actions that involve movement towards the agent: ''kainin'' (to eat something), ''bilhín'' (to buy something).
** actions that involve permanent change: ''basagin'' (to crack something), ''patayín'' (to kill something).
** actions that involve thought: ''isipin'' (to think of something), ''alalahanin'' (to remember something).
* ''i-'' is also a benefactive trigger, but when used as an object trigger, it denotes actions which involve something that is moved away from an agent: ''ibigáy'' (to give something), ''ilagáy'' (to put something), ''itaním'' (to plant something).
* ''-an'' can also serve as a locative or benefactive trigger, but as an object trigger, it denotes actions involving a surface change (doing unto something): ''hugasan'' (to rinse something), ''walisán'' (to sweep something off), ''sulatan'' (to write on a surface).

Affixes can also be used in nouns or adjectives: ''baligtarán'' (from ''baligtád'', to reverse) (reversible), ''katamarán'' (from ''tamád'', lazy) (laziness), ''kasabihán'' (from ''sabi'', to say) (proverb), ''kasagutan'' (from ''sagót'', answer), ''bayarín'' (from ''bayad'', to pay) (payment), ''bukirín'' (from ''bukid'', farm), ''lupaín'' (from ''lupà'', land), ''pagkakaroón'' (from ''doón/roón'', there) (having/appearance), and ''pagdárasál'' (from ''dasál'', prayer). Verbs with affixes (mostly suffixes) are also used as nouns, which are differentiated by stress position. Examples are ''panoórin'' (to watch or view) and ''panoorín'' (materials to be watched or viewed), ''hangarín'' (to wish) and ''hangárin'' (goal/objective), ''arálin'' (to study) and ''aralín'' (studies), and ''bayáran'' (to pay) and ''bayarán'' (someone or something for hire).

==== List of triggers and examples ====
The '''actor''' trigger marks the direct noun as the <u>agent</u> (doer) of the action:
*''B'''um'''ilí ng saging <u>ang lalaki</u> sa tindahan para sa unggóy.''
:''<u>The man</u> bought a banana at the store for the monkey.''

The '''object''' trigger marks the direct noun as the <u>patient</u> (receiver) of the action:
*''B'''in'''ilí ng lalaki <u>ang saging</u> sa tindahan para sa unggóy.''
:''The man bought <u>the banana</u> at the store for the monkey.''

The [[locative case|locative]] trigger marks the direct noun as the <u>location</u> or direction of an action or the area affected by the action.
:''The man bought a banana <u>at/from the store</u>.''
*''B'''in'''il'''hán''' ng lalaki ng saging <u>ang tindahan</u>.'' (''formal/dated form'')
*'''''Pinag'''bil'''hán''' ng lalaki ng saging <u>ang tindahan</u>.'' (''colloquial form'')

The [[benefactive case|benefactive]] trigger marks the direct noun as the person or thing that benefits from the action; i.e., the <u>beneficiary</u> of an action.
:''The man bought a banana <u>for the monkey</u>''.
*'''''I'''b'''in'''ilí ng lalaki ng saging <u>ang unggóy</u>.'' (''formal/dated form'')
*''B'''in'''il'''hán''' ng lalaki ng saging <u>ang unggóy</u>.'' (''colloquial form'')

The [[instrumental case|instrumental]] trigger marks the direct noun as the <u>means</u> by which the action is performed.
*'''''Ipinam'''bilí ng lalaki ng saging <u>ang pera</u>'' ''ng asawa niyá.''
:''The man bought a banana <u>with</u> his spouse's <u>money</u>.''

The [[causal case|reason]] trigger marks the direct noun as the <u>cause</u> or reason why an action is performed. It is mostly used exclusively with verbs of emotion.
* '''''Ikina'''gulat ng lalaki'' ''<u>ang pagdatíng</u> ng unggóy''.
:''The man got surprised <u>because of the</u> monkey's <u>arrival</u>.''

===Aspect===
The [[Grammatical aspect|aspect]] of the verb indicates the progressiveness of the verb. It specifies whether the action happened, is happening, or will happen. Tagalog verbs are conjugated for time using aspect rather than tense, which can be easily expressed with phrases and time prepositions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://learningtagalog.com/grammar/verbs/aspects/overview.html|title=Tagalog Aspects: Overview|access-date=2015-07-06|archive-date=2015-06-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620011159/http://learningtagalog.com/grammar/verbs/aspects/overview.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Verbal Aspect Page |url=http://www.seasite.niu.edu/tagalog/grammar%20activities/Grammar%202/Verbal%20Aspect/Verbalaspect-fs.htm |access-date=16 August 2022 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112011248/http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Grammar%20Activities/Grammar%202/Verbal%20Aspect/Verbalaspect-fs.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!Aspect
!Use
!Example sentence
!Meaning 
|-
! rowspan=2 | Completed (Perfective)
| rowspan=2 | indicates that the action has been completed
|'''Nag'''lutò ang babae
|The woman ''cooked''
|-
|'''Nag'''lutò '''''na''''' ang babae
|The woman ''has/had cooked''
|-
! rowspan=3 | Uncompleted (Imperfective)
| rowspan=3 | indicates that the action has started, but not completed and is ongoing; also indicates habitual actions and general facts
|'''Naglu'''lutò ang babae
|The woman ''cooks''
|-
|'''Naglu'''lutò '''''na''''' ang babae
|The woman ''is (already) cooking''
|-
|'''Naglu'''lutò '''''pa''''' ang babae
|The woman ''is (still) cooking''
|-
! rowspan=3 | Unstarted (Contemplative)
| rowspan=3 | indicates that the action has not been started
|'''Maglu'''lutò ang babae
|The woman ''will cook''
|-
|'''Maglu'''lutò '''''na''''' ang babae
|The woman ''is going to cook (now)''
|-
|'''Maglu'''lutò '''''pa''''' ang babae
|The woman ''is yet to cook''
|-
!Recently completed
|indicates that the action has been completed just before the time of speaking or just before some other specified time
|'''Kalu'''lutò '''''lang''''' ng babae
|The woman ''has just cooked''
|}

==== Infinitive ''(Pawatas)'' ====
This serves as the base form of the verb, and is not marked by aspect. It is typically used in modal and [[subjunctive]] constructions. It is also used in standard Tagalog as the basis for the [[Imperative mood|imperative]] form of the verb, by adding a second-person pronoun, such as ''ka/mo'' (you) and ''kayó/ninyó'' (you all), directly after it.

This is formed by affixing a verbal trigger suffix to the root word.
{| class="wikitable"
!Root Word
!Affix
!Base Form
!Trigger
|-
|alís ''(leave)''
| ''-um-''
| <u>'''''um'''''</u>alís ''(to leave)''
| Actor trigger I
|-
|kain ''(eat)''
| ''-um-''
| k<u>'''''um'''''</u>ain ''(to eat)''
| Actor trigger I
|-
|sulat ''(write)''
| ''mag-''
| <u>'''''mag'''''</u>sulát ''(to write)''
| Actor trigger II
|-
|tulog ''(sleep)''
| ''ma-''
| <u>'''''ma'''''</u>tulog ''(to sleep)''
| Actor trigger III
|-
|hingî ''(ask/request)''
| ''mang-''
| <u>'''''mang'''''</u>hingî ''(to ask/request)''
| Actor trigger IV
|-
|alís ''(leave)''
| ''-(h)in''
| alis<u>'''''ín'''''</u> ''(to remove)''
| Object trigger I
|-
|basa ''(read)''
| ''-(h)in''
| basa''<u>'''hin'''</u> (to read)''
| Object trigger I
|-
|bigáy ''(give)''
| ''i-''
| ''<u>'''i'''</u>''bigáy''(to give)''
| Object trigger II
|-
|bilí ''(buy)''
| ''-(h)an''
| bil''<u>'''hán'''</u> (to buy from)''
| Locative trigger
|-
|balík ''(return)''
| ''i-''
| ''<u>'''i'''</u>''balík ''(to bring back)''
| Benefactive trigger
|-
|hugas ''(wash)''
| ''ipang-''
| ''<u>'''ipang'''</u>''hugas ''(to use for washing)''
| Instrumental trigger
|-
|galák ''(joy)''
| ''ika-''
| ''<u>'''ika'''</u>''galák ''(to bring joy)''
| Reason trigger
|}

Examples of infinitive use in modal sentences:
{| class="wikitable"
!Grammatical mood
!Example
!Meaning
|-
| [[subjunctive mood|Subjunctive]]
|''dapat'' '''''<u>ma</u>'''''tulog ka
|you ''should sleep''
|-
| [[optative mood|Optative]]
|''sana'' '''''<u>i</u>'''''bigáy mo
|''I hope'' you will ''give'' (''it'')
|-
| [[necessitative mood|Necessitative]]
|''kailangan'' niláng k'''''<u>um</u>'''''ain
|they ''need'' to ''eat''
|-
| [[imperative mood|Imperative]]
|basa'''''<u>hin</u>''''' mo na
|''read it'' now
|-
| [[prohibitive mood|Prohibitive]]
|''huwág'' kang '''''<u>mang</u>'''''hingî ng tawad
|''don't ask'' for forgiveness
|}

==== Perfective ''(Naganáp)'' ====
Also known as the ''complete'' or ''completed aspect''. This implies that the action was done in the past, prior to the time of speaking or some other specified time. This aspect is characterized by:
* the use of the infix ''-in-'' in all triggers except the actor trigger
* the alteration of initial ''m'' to ''n'' in ''mag-'', ''ma-'', and ''mang-'' (actor triggers II, III, and IV)
* no change with ''-um-'' (actor trigger I)

In the complete aspect of the object trigger ''-in'', that suffix ''-in'' (or ''-hin'') is removed. This is in contrast with other triggers where the trigger affix remains.

{| class="wikitable"
!Root Word
!Trigger
!Base Form
!Affix
!Complete Aspect
|-
|alís ''(leave)''
| Actor trigger I
| <u>''um''</u>alís ''(to leave)''
| ''no change''
| <u>''um''</u>alís ''(left)''
|-
|kain ''(eat)''
| Actor trigger I
| k<u>''um''</u>ain ''(to eat)''
| ''no change''
| k<u>''um''</u>ain ''(ate)''
|-
|sulat ''(write)''
| Actor trigger II
| <u>''mag''</u>sulat ''(to write)''
| ''mag-'' → ''<u>n</u>ag-''
| <u>'''''n'''ag''</u>sulat ''(wrote)''
|-
|tulog ''(sleep)''
| Actor trigger III
| <u>''ma''</u>tulog ''(to sleep)''
| ''ma-'' → ''<u>n</u>a-''
| <u>'''''n'''a''</u>tulog ''(slept)''
|-
|hingî ''(ask/request)''
| Actor trigger IV
| <u>''mang''</u>hingî ''(to ask/request)''
| ''mang-'' → ''<u>n</u>ang-''
| <u>'''''n'''ang''</u>hingî ''(asked/requested)''
|-
|alís ''(leave)''
| Object trigger I
| alis<u>''ín''</u> ''(to remove)''
| remove ''-in'' + add ''-in-''
| <u>'''''in'''''</u>alís ''(removed)''
|-
|basa ''(read)''
| Object trigger I
| basa''<u>hin</u> (to read)''
| remove ''-hin'' + add ''-in-''
| b<u>'''''in'''''</u>asa ''(read)''
|-
|bigáy ''(give)''
| Object trigger II
| ''<u>i</u>''bigáy''(to give)''
| add ''-in-''
| ''<u>i</u>''b<u>'''''in'''''</u>igáy ''(given)''
|-
|bilí ''(buy)''
| Locative trigger
| bil''<u>hán</u> (to buy from)''
| add ''-in-''
| b<u>'''''in'''''</u>il''<u>hán</u>'' ''(bought from)''
|-
|balík ''(return)''
| Benefactive trigger
| ''<u>i</u>''balík ''(to bring back)''
| add ''-in-''
| ''<u>i</u>''b<u>'''''in'''''</u>alík ''(brought back)''
|-
|hugas ''(wash)''
| Instrumental trigger
| ''<u>ipang</u>''hugas ''(to use for washing)''
| add ''-in-''
| ''<u>ip'''in'''ang</u>''hugas ''(used for washing)''
|-
|galák ''(joy)''
| Reason trigger
| ''<u>ika</u>''galák ''(to bring joy)''
| add ''-in-''
| ''<u>ik'''in'''a</u>''galák ''(brought joy)''
|}

On its own, the perfective verb may not necessarily imply that the action is completed.
Adding the particle ''na'' directly after it strengthens the notion that it is in fact completed. Compare this with the difference between English [[simple past]] and [[past perfect]] tenses.

{| class="wikitable"
!
!Without particle
!With particle
|-
|Example
|p<u>um</u>untá akó sa Baguio pagdatíng nilá
|p<u>um</u>untá ''<u>'''na'''</u>'' akó sa Baguio pagdatíng nilá
|-
|Meaning
|I went to Baguio when they came
|I ''have'' (''already'') gone to Baguio when they came
|}

==== Imperfective ''(Nagaganap)'' ====
Also known as the ''progressive'' or ''uncompleted aspect''. This implies that the action has started, is ongoing, and not yet completed. It is also used with [[habitual aspect|habitual]] actions, or actions that signify [[gnomic aspect|general facts]]. This aspect is characterized by the reduplication of the first syllable of the root word, followed by application of the same morphological rules as seen with the complete aspect. If the base form of the verb has its stress on the last syllable, a [[secondary stress]] usually falls on the reduplicated syllable.

{| class="wikitable"
!Root Word
!Trigger
!Base Form
!Affix
!Complete Aspect
|-
|alís ''(leave)''
| Actor trigger I
| <u>''um''</u>alís ''(to leave)''
| ''CV reduplication''
| <u>''um'''á'''''</u>alís ''(leaving)''
|-
|kain ''(eat)''
| Actor trigger I
| k<u>''um''</u>ain ''(to eat)''
| ''CV reduplication''
| <u>'''''k'''um'''a'''''</u>kain ''(eating)''
|-
|sulat ''(write)''
| Actor trigger II
| <u>''mag''</u>sulát ''(to write)''
| ''CV reduplication'' + ''mag-'' → ''<u>n</u>ag-''
| <u>'''''n'''ag'''sú'''''</u>sulát ''(writing)''
|-
|tulog ''(sleep)''
| Actor trigger III
| <u>''ma''</u>tulog ''(to sleep)''
| ''CV reduplication'' + ''ma-'' → ''<u>n</u>a-''
| <u>'''''n'''a'''tu'''''</u>tulog ''(sleeping)''
|-
|hingî ''(ask/request)''
| Actor trigger IV
| <u>''mang''</u>hingî ''(to ask/request)''
| ''CV reduplication'' + ''mang-'' → ''<u>n</u>ang-''
| <u>'''''n'''ang'''hí'''''</u>hingì ''(asking/requesting)''
|-
|alís ''(leave)''
| Object trigger I
| alis<u>''ín''</u> ''(to remove)''
| ''CV reduplication'' + remove ''-in'' + add ''-in-''
| <u>'''''iná'''''</u>alís ''(removed)''
|-
|basa ''(read)''
| Object trigger I
| basa''<u>hin</u> (to read)''
| ''CV reduplication'' + remove ''-hin'' + add ''-in-''
| <u>'''''bina'''''</u>basa ''(reading)''
|-
|bigáy ''(give)''
| Object trigger II
| ''<u>i</u>''bigáy''(to give)''
| ''CV reduplication'' + add ''-in-''
| <u>i'''''biní'''''</u>bigáy ''(giving)''
|-
|bilí ''(buy)''
| Locative trigger
| bil''<u>hán</u> (to buy from)''
| ''CV reduplication'' + add ''-in-''
| <u>'''''biní'''''</u>bil<u>''hán''</u> ''(buying from)''
|-
|balík ''(return)''
| Benefactive trigger
| ''<u>i</u>''balík ''(to bring back)''
| ''CV reduplication'' + add ''-in-''
| <u>i'''''biná'''''</u>balík ''(bringing back)''
|-
|hugas ''(wash)''
| Instrumental trigger
| ''<u>ipang</u>''hugas ''(to use for washing)''
| ''CV reduplication'' + add ''-in-''
| ''<u>ip'''in'''ang'''hu'''</u>''hugas ''(using for washing)''
|-
|galák ''(joy)''
| Reason trigger
| ''<u>ika</u>''galák ''(to bring joy)''
| ''CV reduplication'' + add ''-in-''
| ''<u>ik'''in'''a'''gá'''</u>''galák ''(bringing joy)''
|}

==== Contemplative ''(Magaganap)'' <span id="Contemplative"></span> ====
This implies that the action has not yet started but anticipated. This aspect is characterized solely by the reduplication of the first syllable of the root word.

In the contemplative aspect of the actor trigger ''-um-'', that infix ''-um-'' is removed.

{| class="wikitable"
!Root Word
!Trigger
!Base Form
!Affix
!Complete Aspect
|-
|alís ''(leave)''
| Actor trigger I
| <u>''um''</u>alís ''(to leave)''
| remove ''-um-'' + ''CV reduplication''
| <u>'''''á'''''</u>alís ''(will leave)''
|-
|kain ''(eat)''
| Actor trigger I
| k<u>''um''</u>ain ''(to eat)''
| remove ''-um-'' + ''CV reduplication''
| <u>'''''ka'''''</u>kain ''(will eat)''
|-
|sulat ''(write)''
| Actor trigger II
| <u>''mag''</u>sulat ''(to write)''
| ''CV reduplication''
| <u>''mag'''sú'''''</u>sulát ''(will write)''
|-
|tulog ''(sleep)''
| Actor trigger III
| <u>''ma''</u>tulog ''(to sleep)''
| ''CV reduplication''
| <u>''ma'''tu'''''</u>tulog ''(will sleep)''
|-
|hingî ''(ask/request)''
| Actor trigger IV
| <u>''mang''</u>hingî ''(to ask/request)''
| ''CV reduplication''
| <u>''mang'''hí'''''</u>hingì ''(will ask/request)''
|-
|alís ''(leave)''
| Object trigger I
| alis<u>''ín''</u> ''(to remove)''
| ''CV reduplication''
| <u>'''''á'''''</u>alis''<u>ín</u>'' ''(will remove)''
|-
|basa ''(read)''
| Object trigger I
| basa''<u>hin</u> (to read)''
| ''CV reduplication''
| <u>'''''bá'''''</u>basa''<u>hin</u>'' ''(will read)''
|-
|bigáy ''(give)''
| Object trigger II
| ''<u>i</u>''bigáy''(to give)''
| ''CV reduplication''
| <u>''i'''bí'''''</u>bigáy ''(will give)''
|-
|bilí ''(buy)''
| Locative trigger
| bil''<u>hán</u> (to buy from)''
| ''CV reduplication''
| <u>'''''bí'''''</u>bil<u>''hán''</u> ''(will buy from)''
|-
|balík ''(return)''
| Benefactive trigger
| ''<u>i</u>''balík ''(to bring back)''
| ''CV reduplication''
| <u>''i'''bá'''''</u>balík ''(will bring back)''
|-
|hugas ''(wash)''
| Instrumental trigger
| ''<u>ipang</u>''hugas ''(to use for washing)''
| ''CV reduplication''
| ''<u>ipang'''hu'''</u>''hugas ''(will use for washing)''
|-
|galák ''(joy)''
| Reason trigger
| ''<u>ika</u>''galák ''(to bring joy)''
| ''CV reduplication''
| ''<u>ika'''gá'''</u>''galák ''(will bring joy)''
|}

==== Recently Complete ''(Katatapos)'' ====
This implies that the action has just been completed before the time of speaking or before a specified time. This aspect is unique in that it does not use the direct case marker ''ang'' to mark a focused argument. All nouns bound to a verb in this aspect are only marked by the indirect and oblique markers. 

It is often taught that to form this aspect, the first syllable of the word should be reduplicated followed by adding the prefix ''ka-''. In colloquial speech however, the prefix ''kaka-'' is used instead without any reduplication. A verb in this aspect is always followed by the particle ''lang''.

{| class="wikitable"
!Root Word
!Formal
!Informal
|-
|alís ''(leave)''
| ''<u>kaá</u>''alís ''(just left)''
| ''<u>kaká</u>''alís ''(just left)''
|-
|kain ''(eat)''
| colspan=2 | ''<u>kaka</u>''kain ''(just ate)''
|-
|sulat ''(write)''
| ''<u>kasu</u>''sulat ''(just wrote)''
| ''<u>kaka</u>''sulat ''(just wrote)''
|-
|tulog ''(sleep)''
| ''<u>katu</u>''tulog ''(just slept)''
| ''<u>kaka</u>''tulog ''(just slept)''
|-
|hingî ''(ask/request)''
| ''<u>kahí</u>''hingî ''(just asked/requested)''
| ''<u>kaka</u>''hingî ''(just asked/requested)''
|-
|basa ''(read)''
| ''<u>kaba</u>''basa ''(just read)''
| ''<u>kaka</u>''basa ''(just read)''
|-
|bigáy ''(give)''
| ''<u>kabí</u>''bigáy ''(just gave)''
| ''<u>kaka</u>''bigáy ''(just gave)''
|-
|bilí ''(buy)''
| ''<u>kabí</u>''bilí ''(just bought)''
| ''<u>kaka</u>''bilí ''(just bought)''
|-
|balík ''(return)''
| ''<u>kabá</u>''balík ''(just returned)''
| ''<u>kaka</u>''balík ''(just returned)''
|-
|hugas ''(wash)''
| ''<u>kahu</u>''hugas ''(just washed)''
| ''<u>kaka</u>''hugas ''(just washed)''
|}

===Mood===
Tagalog verbs also have affixes expressing [[grammatical mood]]; some examples are [[indicative]], [[Irrealis mood#Potential|potential]], social, causative and distributed.

<u>Indicative</u><br />
Nagdalá siyá ng liham.<br />
"''(S)he brought a letter.''"

Bumilí kamí ng bigás sa palengke.<br />
"''We bought rice in the market.''"

Kumain akó.<br />
"''I ate.''"

Hindî siyá nagsásalitâ ng Tagalog.<br />
"''(S)he does not speak Tagalog.''"

<u>Causative</u> ''magpa-''<br /> 
'''Nagpa'''dalá siyá ng liham sa kaniyáng iná.<br />
"''He sent (literally: caused to be brought) a letter to his mother.''"

<u>Distributive</u> ''maN-''<br />
'''Nam'''ilí kamí sa palengke.<br />
"''We went shopping in the market.''"

<u>Social</u> ''maki-''<br />
'''Naki'''kain akó sa mga kaibigan ko.<br />
"''I ate with my friends.''"

<u>Potential</u> ''maka-/makapag-''<br />
Hindî siyá '''nakapag'''sásalitâ ng Tagalog.<br />
"''(S)he was not able to speak Tagalog.''"

==Nouns==
While Tagalog nouns are not [[inflection|inflected]], they are usually preceded by case-marking [[particle (grammar)|particles]]. These follow an [[Austronesian alignment]], also known as a ''trigger'' system, which is a distinct feature of [[Austronesian languages]]. There are three basic cases: ''[[direct case|direct]]'' (''ang/si''); ''indirect'' (''ng/ni''); and ''[[oblique case|oblique]]'' (''sa/kay'').

The '''direct case''' marks the noun which has a special relation to the verb in the clause. Here, it is the verb's ''[[Tagalog grammar#trigger|trigger]]'' that determines what [[semantic role]] (agent, patient, etc.) the noun is in. The '''indirect case''' marks the agent or patient, or both, that isn't marked with the direct case in the clause. The '''oblique case''' marks the location, benificiary, instrument, and any other oblique [[argument (grammar)|argument]] that isn't marked with the direct case.

In clauses using the '''''[[Tagalog grammar#List of triggers and examples|actor trigger]]''''', the direct case would mark the [[agent (grammar)|agent]] of the verb (corresponding to the [[subject (grammar)|subject]] in the English [[active voice]]), the indirect would mark the [[patient (grammar)|patient]] ([[direct object]]), while any other argument would be marked by the oblique case. In the '''''[[Tagalog grammar#List of triggers and examples|object trigger]]''''', the reverse occurs, wherein the direct would mark the patient and the indirect marking the agent. When other verb triggers are used (i.e, '''''[[Tagalog grammar#List of triggers and examples|locative, beneficiary, instrumental, causal triggers]]'''''), both agent and patient would be marked by the indirect case, the focused oblique argument marked with the direct case, and any other argument by the oblique case.

One of the functions of trigger in Tagalog is to code [[definiteness]], analogous to the use of definite and indefinite articles (i.e., the & a) in English. That said, an argument marked with the direct case is always definite. Whereas, when a patient argument is marked with the <u>''in''</u>direct case, it is generally indefinite, but an agent argument marked with the same <u>''in''</u>direct case would be understood as definite. To make it indefinite, the numeral ''isá'' (one) is used.

{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! 
! Sentence 1 (AF)
! Sentence 2 (OF)
! Sentence 3 (OF)
! Sentence 4 (OF)
! Sentence 5 (AF)
|-
! Tagalog
| kumain ''<u>ang</u>'' pusà '''<u>ng</u>''' isdâ
| kinain '''<u>ng</u>''' pusa ''<u>ang</u>'' isdâ
| kinain '''<u>ng isáng</u>''' pusà ''<u>ang</u>'' isdâ
| kinain '''<u>ng isáng</u>''' pusà ''<u>ang isáng</u>'' isdâ
| kumain ''<u>ang isáng</u>'' pusà '''<u>ng isáng</u>''' isdâ
|-
! English
| ''<u>the</u>'' cat ate <u>'''a'''</u> fish
| <u>'''the'''</u> cat ate ''<u>the</u>'' fish
| <u>'''a'''</u> cat ate ''<u>the</u>'' fish
| <u>'''a'''</u> cat ate ''<u>a</u>'' fish
| <u>'''a'''</u> cat ate ''<u>a</u>'' fish
|}

The '''indirect particle''' is also used as a [[genitive case|genitive]] marker. It is for this reason that Tagalog lean more towards a [[verb-object-subject word order|VOS word order]], as an indirect (ng/ni) argument directly following a direct (ang/si) argument might be misinterpreted as a possessive construction. For instance with the sentence above, ''kumain ang pusà ng isdâ'' may be read as "''the cat of the fish ate''".

The '''oblique particle''' and the [[locative case|locative]] derived from it are similar to prepositions in English, marking things such as location and direction.

The case particles fall into two [[Grammatical gender#Noun classes|classes]]: one used with names of people ([[proper noun|proper]]) and one for everything else ([[common noun|common]]).

The common indirect marker is spelled ''ng'' and pronounced {{IPA|[naŋ]}}. ''Mgá'', pronounced {{IPA|[maˈŋa]}}, marks the common plural.

Tagalog has associative plural<ref>{{cite web |author1=Michael Daniel |author2=Edith Moravcsik |author2-link=Edith A. Moravcsik |title=Datapoint Tagalog / The Associative Plural |url=https://wals.info/feature/36A |website=[[World Atlas of Language Structures]] |publisher=[[Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology]] |access-date=27 May 2022 |archive-date=13 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013214115/https://wals.info/feature/36A |url-status=live }}</ref> in addition to additive plural.

===Cases===
{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! colspan="2" | 
! Direct (ang)
! Indirect (ng)
! Oblique (sa)
|-
! rowspan="2" | Common
! singular
| ang, 'yung (iyong)
| ng, nu'ng (niyong)
| sa
|-
! plural
| ang mgá, 'yung mgá (iyong mgá)
| ng mgá, nu'ng mgá (niyong mgá)
| sa mgá
|-
! rowspan="2" | Personal
! singular
| si
| ni
| kay
|-
! plural
| sina
| nina
| kina
|}

===Common noun affixes===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| ka- || indicating a companion or colleague
|-
| ka- -(h)an || collective or abstract noun
|-
| pan-, pam-, pang- || denoting instrumental use of the noun
|}

===Examples===
{{interlinear|number=ex:
|Dumatíng ang lalaki.
|{(has) arrived} the man
|"The man arrived."}}

{{interlinear|number=ex:
|Nakita {ni Juan} {si María.}
|saw {by (the) Juan} {(the) María}
|"Juan saw María."}}

Note that in Tagalog, even proper nouns require a case marker.

{{interlinear|number=ex:|abbreviations=NOM:nominal
|Pupunta siná Elena at Roberto sa bahay ni Miguel.
|{will go} PL.NOM.ART Elena and Roberto at house of Miguel
|"Elena and Roberto will go to Miguel's house."}}

{{interlinear|number=ex:
|Nasaan {ang mga} libró?
|Where the.PL book
|"Where are the books?"}}

{{interlinear|number=ex:
|{Na kay} Tatay ang susì.
|{Is with} Father the key
|"Father has the key."}}

{{interlinear
| number = ex:|Malusóg ang sanggól niyó.|Healthy (the) baby your(plural)|"Your baby is healthy."
}}

{{interlinear|number=ex:|bottom=[https://wals.info/valuesets/36A-tag CC BY 4.0 WALS]
|Para kina Luis ang handaan..
|For the.PL Luis the party
|"The party is for Luis and the others."}}

==Pronouns==
Like nouns, personal pronouns are categorized by case. As above, the indirect forms also function as the genitive.

{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! colspan="3" | 
! Direct ({{lang|tl|ang}})
! Indirect ({{lang|tl|ng}})
! Oblique ({{lang|tl|sa}})
|-
! rowspan="4" | 1st person
! colspan="2" | singular
| {{lang|tl|akó}}
| {{lang|tl|ko}} ({{lang|tl|nakin}})
| {{lang|tl|akin}}
|-
! colspan="2" | dual
|{{lang|tl|kitá}}/{{lang|tl|kata}}<ref name="not used">{{lang|tl|Kata}}, {{lang|tl|nita}} and {{lang|tl|kanita}} are not widely used. {{lang|tl|Kitá}} used to be an alternative pronoun for the first person dual.</ref>
|{{lang|tl|nita}}/{{lang|tl|nata}} ({{lang|tl|ta}}) <ref name="not used"/>
|{{lang|tl|kanitá}}/{{lang|tl|kanata}} ({{lang|tl|ata}})<ref name="not used"/>
|-
! rowspan="2" | plural
! inclusive
| {{lang|tl|tayo}}
| {{lang|tl|natin}}
| {{lang|tl|atin}}
|-
! exclusive
| {{lang|tl|kamí}}
| {{lang|tl|namin}}
| {{lang|tl|amin}}
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2nd person
! colspan="2" | singular
| {{lang|tl|ikáw}} ({{lang|tl|ka}})
| {{lang|tl|mo}} ({{lang|tl|niyo}})
| {{lang|tl|iyó}}
|-
! colspan="2" | plural
| {{lang|tl|kayó}}
| {{lang|tl|ninyó}}
| {{lang|tl|inyó}}
|-
! rowspan="2" | 3rd person
! colspan="2" | singular
| {{lang|tl|siyá}}
| {{lang|tl|niyá}}
| {{lang|tl|kaniyá}}
|-
! colspan="2" | plural
| {{lang|tl|silá}}
| {{lang|tl|nilá}}
| {{lang|tl|kanilá}}
|}
{| class="wikitable"
!&nbsp;
!Direct second person ({{lang|tl|ang}}) with Indirect ({{lang|tl|ng}}) first person
|-
|'''(to) you by/from me'''
|{{lang|tl|kitá}}<ref>This is a contraction of "{{lang|tl|ko ikaw}}". Neither "{{lang|tl|ko ka}}" nor "{{lang|tl|ka ko}}" are grammatically acceptable.</ref>
|}
Pronoun sequences are {{lang|tl|ko ikáw}} ({{lang|tl|kitá}}), {{lang|tl|ko kayó}}, {{lang|tl|ko siyá}}, and {{lang|tl|ko silá}}.

Examples:<br />
{{lang|tl|Sumulat akó.}}<br />
"I wrote."

{{lang|tl|Sinulatan akó ng liham.}}<br />
"He/She/They wrote me a letter."<br />
<small>Note: If "{{lang|tl|ng liham}}" is removed from the sentence, it becomes "I was written on"</small>

{{lang|tl|Ibíbigay ko ito sa kaniyá.}}<br />
"I will give this to him/her/them."

Genitive pronouns follow the word they modify. Oblique pronouns can take the place of the genitive pronoun but they precede the word they modify.

{{lang|tl|Ang bahay ko.}}<br />
{{lang|tl|Ang aking bahay.}}<br />
"My house."

The inclusive dual pronoun {{lang|tl|kata/kitá}} has largely disappeared from the Manila Dialect. It survives in other Tagalog dialects, particularly those spoken in the rural areas. However {{lang|tl|kitá}} is used to replace the pronoun sequence ''[verb] {{lang|tl|ko ikaw}}'', (I [verb] you).

The 1st–2nd dual pronoun "{{lang|tl|kata/kitá}}" referring to "you and I" is traditionally used as follows:

{{lang|tl|Mágkaibigan kitá.}} (Manila Dialect: {{lang|tl|Mágkaibigan tayo.}})<br />
"You and I are friends." (Manila Dialect: “We are friends.")

Examples:

{{lang|tl|Mágkásintahan kitá.}}(We are lovers.)

{{lang|tl|Maayós áng bahay nita.}} (Our house is fixed.)

{{lang|tl|Magagandá áng mgá paróroonan sá kanitá.}} (The destinations are beautiful at ours.)

As previously mentioned, the pronoun sequence ''[verb] {{lang|tl|ko ikáw}}'', (I [verb] you) may be replaced by {{lang|tl|kitá}}.

{{lang|tl|Mahál kitá.}}<br />
"I love you."

{{lang|tl|Bíbigyan kitá ng pera.}}<br />
"I will give you money."

{{lang|tl|Nakità kitá sa tindahan kahapon.}}<br />
"I saw you at the store yesterday."

{{lang|tl|Kaibigan kitá.}}<br />
"You are my friend."

The inclusive pronoun {{lang|tl|tayo}} refers to the first and second persons. It may also refer to a third person(s).

The exclusive pronoun {{lang|tl|kamí}} refers to the first and third persons but excludes the second.

{{lang|tl|Walâ tayong bigás.}}<br />
"We (you and me) have no rice."

{{lang|tl|Walâ kaming bigás.}}<br />
"We (someone else and me, but not you) have no rice."

The second person singular has two forms. {{lang|tl|Ikáw}} is the non-enclitic form while {{lang|tl|ka}} is the [[enclitic]] which never begins a sentence. The plural form {{lang|tl|kayó}} is also used politely in the singular, similar to French {{lang|fr|vous}}.

Native nouns are [[Genderless language|genderless]], hence {{lang|tl|siyá}} means ''he,'' ''she,'' or [[Singular they|''they'' (singular)]].

===Polite or formal usage===
Tagalog, like many languages, marks the [[T–V distinction]]: when addressing a single person in polite/formal/respectful settings, pronouns from either the '''2nd person plural''' or the '''3rd person plural''' group are used instead of the '''singular 2nd person''' pronoun. They can be used with, or in lieu of, the {{lang|tl|pô/hô}} iterations without losing any degree of politeness, formality, or respect:

*{{lang|tl|ikáw}} or {{lang|tl|ka}} ("you" sgl.) becomes {{lang|tl|kayó}} ("you" pl.) or {{lang|tl|silá}} ("they")
*{{lang|tl|mo}} (post-substantive "your") becomes {{lang|tl|niyó}} or {{lang|tl|ninyó}} (more polite), (post-substantive "your" pl.) or {{lang|tl|nilá}} (post-substantive "their")
*{{lang|tl|iyó(ng)}} ("yours" sgl. or pre-substantive "your" sgl.) becomes {{lang|tl|inyó(ng)}} ("yours" pl. or pre-substantive "your" pl.) or {{lang|tl|kanilá(ng)}} ("theirs" or pre-substantive "their")

'''Example:'''<br />
English: "What's your name?"<br />
Casual: {{lang|tl|Anó'ng pangalan mo?}}<br />
Respectful: {{lang|tl|Anó'ng pangalan ninyo?}} or {{lang|tl|Anó'ng pangalan nilá}}?

Using such pluralized pronouns is quite sufficient for expressing politeness, formality or respect, particularly when an affirmative (or negative) {{lang|tl|pô/hô}} iteration isn't necessary.

Additionally, the formal second-person pronouns {{lang|tl|Ikaw}} ({{lang|tl|Ka}}), {{lang|tl|Kayo}}, {{lang|tl|Mo}}, and {{lang|tl|Ninyo}}, third-person forms {{lang|tl|Niya}} and {{lang|tl|Siya}}, and their oblique forms {{lang|tl|Inyo}}, {{lang|tl|Iyo}}, and {{lang|tl|Kaniya}} are customarily and [[Reverential capitalization|reverentially capitalized]], particularly in most religion-related digital and printed media and their references. Purists who frame this capitalization as nonstandard and inconsistent do not apply it when typing or writing.

===Demonstrative pronouns===
Tagalog's demonstrative pronouns are as follows.

{| class="wikitable"
!&nbsp;
!Direct (ang)
!Indirect (ng)
!Oblique (sa)
!Locative (nasa)
!Existential
!Manner (gaya)
|-
|'''Nearest to speaker (this, here)'''*
|iré, aré
|niré
|díne/ríne
|nandine(andine)/nárine
|eré
|ganiré
|-
|'''Near speaker and addressee (this, here)'''
|itó
|nitó
|díto/ríto
|nandíto(andíto)/nárito
|éto/héto
|ganitó
|-
|'''Nearest addressee (that, there)'''
|iyán
|niyán
|diyán/riyán
|nandiyán(andíyan)/náriyan
|ayán/hayán
|ganiyán 
|-
|'''Remote (that, there)'''
|iyón, yaón 
|niyón
|doón/roón
|nandoón(andoón)/nároon
|ayón/hayón 
|ganoón (gayón/ganó'n)/ garoón
|}
Notes:

- Although ''dine'' and ''dito''  both mean ''here'', its difference is the first one pertains to the speaker only while the second one includes the listener. Lost in Standard Filipino/Tagalog (Manila dialect: dito) but still survive in province dialects like Batangas. The same goes for direct, indirect, oblique, locative, existential, and manner (nearest to speaker).

- ''Yaón'' is an old-fashioned word which means ''that''.The 
modern word is ''iyón''.

- The oblique are verbs and locative are pseudo-verbs; for instance, dumito, dumidito, and didito for oblique; and narito, naririto, and nandito for oblique. However, some are archaic and some are old-fashioned.

- Words like ''pariné, paritó, pariyón, and paroón'' are combined with pa+(oblique word). These were old-fashioned and/or archaic but still survive in dialects.

- The contractions are: 're, 'to, 'yan, 'yun, n'yan, gan'to, gan'yan, gan're, gano'n (gayon)

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Many Tagalog speakers may use ''itó'' in place of ''iré/aré''.

Examples:
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
Anó itó?<br />
"What's this?"

Sino ang lalaking iyón?<br />
"Who is that man?"

Gáling kay Pedro ang liham na itó.<br />
"This letter is from Pedro."

{{Col-break}}
Nandito akó.<br />
"I am here."

Kakain silá roón.<br />
"They will eat there."

Saán ka man naróroon.<br />
"Wherever you are."

{{Col-break}}
Kumain niyán ang batà.<br />
"The child ate some of that."

Ayón palá ang salamín mo!<br />
"So that's where your glasses are!"

Heto isáng regalo para sa iyó.<br />
"Here's a gift for you."
{{col-end}}

== Adjectives ==
Just like English adjectives, Tagalog adjectives modify a noun or a pronoun.

=== Forms ===

==== Simple (''Payák'') ====
These consist of only the root word.

Examples: hinóg (''ripe''), sabog (''exploded''), ganda (''beautiful'')

==== Affixed (''Maylapì'') ====
These consist of the root word and one or more affixes.

Examples: tinanóng (''questioned''), kumakain (''eating''), nagmámahál (''loving'')

==== Repeating (''Inuulit'') ====
These are formed by the repetition of the whole or part of the root word.

Examples: puláng-pulá (''really red''), putíng-putî (''really white''), araw-araw (''every day''), gabí-gabí (''every night'')

==== Compound (''Tambalan'') ====
These are compound words.

Examples: ngiting-aso (''literally: "dog smile", meaning: "big smile"''), balát-sibuyas (''literally: "onion-skinned", meaning: "crybaby"'')

=== Types ===

==== Descriptive (''Panlarawan'') ====
This states the size, color, form, smell, sound, texture, taste, and shape.

Examples: muntî (''little''), biluhabà (''oval''), matamis (''sweet''), malubhâ (''serious'')

==== Proper (''Pantangì'') ====
This states a specific noun. This consists of a common noun and a proper noun. The proper noun (that starts with a capital letter) is modifying the type of common noun.

Examples: wikang Ingles (''English language''), kulturang Espanyol (''Spanish culture''), pagkaing Iloko (''Ilokano food'')

==== ''Pamilang'' ====
This states the number, how many, or a position in order. This has multiple types.

* '''Sequence (''Panunurán'')''' – This states the position in an order. Examples: ikatló (''third''), una (''first''), pangalawá (''second'')
* '''Quantitative (''Patakarán'')''' – This states the actual number. Examples: isa (''one''), apat (''four''), limang libo (''five thousand'')
* '''Fraction (''Pamahagì'')''' – This states a part of a whole. Examples: kalahatì (''half''), limáng-kawaló (''five-eights''), sangkapat (''fourth'')
* '''Monetary (''Pahalagá'')''' – This states a price (equivalent to money) of a thing or any bought item. Examples: piso (''one peso''), limampung sentimo (''fifty centavos''), sandaang piso (''one hundred pesos'')
* '''Collective (''Palansák'')''' – This states a group of people or things. This identifies the number that forms that group. Examples: dalawahan (''by two''), sampú-sampû (''by ten''), animan (''by six'')
* '''''Patakdâ''''' – This states the exact and actual number. This cannot be added or subtracted. Examples: iisa (''only one''), dadalawa (''only two''), lilima (''only five'')

=== Degrees of Comparison ===
Just like English adjectives, Tagalog adjectives have 3 degrees of comparison.

==== Positive (''Lantáy'') ====
This only compares one noun/pronoun.

Example: maliít (''small''), kupas (''peeled''), matabâ (''fat'')

==== Comparative (''Pahambíng'') ====
This is used when 2 nouns/pronouns are being compared. This has multiple types.

* '''Similar (''Magkatulad'')''' – This is the comparison when the traits compared are fair. Usually, the prefixes ga-, sing-/kasíng-, and magsing-/magkasíng- are used.
* '''Dissimilar (''Di-magkatulad'')''' – This is the comparison if it shows the idea of disallowance, rejection or opposition.
** '''''Palamáng''''' – the thing that is being compared has a positive trait. The words "higít", "lalo", "mas", "di-hamak" and others are used.
** '''''Pasahol''''' – the thing that is being compared has a negative trait. The words "di-gaano", "di-gasino", "di-masyado" and others are used.

==== Superlative (''Pasukdól'') ====
This is the highest degree of comparison. This can be positive or negative. The prefix "pinaká" and the words "sobra", "ubod", "tunay", "talaga", "saksakan", and "hari ng ___" are used, as well as the repetition of the adjective.
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="3" |Positive
(''Lantay'')
! colspan="3" |Comparative (''Pahambing'')
! rowspan="3" |Superlative
''(Pasukdol)''
|-
! rowspan="2" |Similar
''(Magkatulad)''
! colspan="2" |Dissimilar (''Di-magkatulad'')
|-
!''Palamáng''
!''Pasahol''
|-
|pangit (''ugly'')
|kasíng-pangit (''as ugly as'')
|higít na pangit (''uglier'') 
|di-gaanong pangit (''not that ugly'')
|pinakapangit (''ugliest'')
|-
|magandá (''beautiful'')
|singgandá (''as beautiful as'')
|mas magandá (''more beautiful'')
|di-masyadong magandá (''not that beautiful'')
|ubod ng gandá (''most beautiful'')
|-
|mabangó (''fragrant'')
|magkasíng-bangó (''as fragrant as'')
|lalong mabangó (''more fragrant'')
|di-gasinong mabangó (''not that fragrant'')
|tunay na mabangó (''most fragrant'')
|}

=== Degrees of Description ===
These degrees have no comparison.

==== ''Lantáy'' ====
This is when the simple/plain form of the adjective is being used for description.

Examples: matalino (''smart''), palatawá (''risible'')

==== ''Katamtaman'' ====
This is when the adjective is accompanied by the words "medyo", "nang kauntî", "nang bahagyâ" or the repetition of the root word or the first two syllables of the root word.

Examples: medyo matabâ (''somewhat fat''), malakás nang bahagyâ (''slightly strong''), malakás-lakás (''somewhat strong''), matabáng nang kauntî (''a little bit insipid'')

==== ''Masidhî'' ====
This is when the adjective is accompanied by the words "napaka", "ubod ng", "saksakan ng", "talagáng", "sobrang", "masyadong" or the repetition of the whole adjective. The description in this degree is intense.

Examples: napakalakas (''so strong''), ubod ng baít (''really kind''), talagáng mabangó (''truly fragrant''), sobrang makinis (''oversmooth'')

=== Number ===
There are rules that are followed when forming adjectives that use the prefix "ma-".

==== Singular (''Isahan'') ====
When the adjective is describing only one noun/pronoun, "ma-" and the root word is used.

Examples: ''<u>ma</u>''sayá (''happy''), ''<u>ma</u>''lungkót (''sad'')

==== Plural (''Maramihan'') ====
When the adjective is describing two or more noun/pronoun, "ma-" is used and the first syllable or first two letters of the root word is repeated.

Examples: ''<u>ma</u>''<u>li</u>liít (''small''), ''<u>ma</u>''<u>ga</u>gandá (''beautiful'')

The word "mgá" is not needed if the noun/pronoun is right next to the adjective.

Example: Ang <u>''ma''gaga</u>ndáng damít ay kasya kiná Erica at Bel. (''The beautiful clothes can fit to Erica and Bel.'')

== Ligature ==
The ligature (''pang-angkóp'') connects, or links, modifiers (like adjectives and adverbs) to the words that they are modifying. It has two [[allomorph]]s:

;''na''
This is used if the preceding word ends with a consonant other than ''n''. It is not combined with the preceding word but separated, appearing between the modifier and the word it modifies.

Example: {{lang|tl|mapágmahál '''na''' tao}} ("loving person")

;''-ng''
This suffixed allomorph is used if the preceding word ends with a vowel or ''n''; in the latter case, the final ''n'' is lost and replaced by the suffix:

Examples: {{lang|tl|mabuti'''ng''' nilaláng ng Diyos}} ("good creation of God"); {{lang|tl|huwara'''ng''' mamámayán}} ({{lang|tl|huwaran + mamámayán}}) ("ideal citizen")

==Conjunctions==

Tagalog uses numerous conjunctions, and may belong to one of these possible functions:

# separate non-contrasting ideas (e.g. {{lang|tl|at}} "and")
# separate contrasting ideas (e.g. {{lang|tl|ngunit}} "but")
# give explanations (e.g. {{lang|tl|kung}} "if")
# provide circumstances (e.g. {{lang|tl|kapág}} "when")
# indicate similarities (e.g. {{lang|tl|kung saán}} "where")
# provide reasons (e.g. {{lang|tl|dahil}} "because")
# indicate endings (e.g. {{lang|tl|upang}} "[in order] to")

==Modifiers==
Modifiers alter, qualify, clarify, or limit other elements in a sentence structure. They are optional grammatical elements but they change the meaning of the element they are modifying in particular ways. Examples of modifiers are adjectives (modifies nouns), adjectival clauses, adverbs (modifies verbs), and adverbial clauses. Nouns can also modify other nouns. In Tagalog, word categories are fluid: A word can sometimes be an adverb or an adjective depending on the word it modifies. If the word being modified is a noun, then the modifier is an adjective, if the word being modified is a verb, then it is an adverb. For example, the word ''<nowiki/>'mabilís'<nowiki/>'' means 'fast' in English. The Tagalog word ''<nowiki/>'mabilís'<nowiki/>'' can be used to describe nouns like ''<nowiki/>'kuneho'<nowiki/>'' ('rabbit') in ''<nowiki/>'kunehong mabilís'<nowiki/>'' ('quick rabbit'). In that phrase, ''<nowiki/>'mabilís''' was used as an adjective. The same word can be used to describe verbs, one can say 'tumakbóng mabilís' which means 'quickly ran'. In that phrase, 'mabilis' was used as an adverb. The Tagalog word for 'rabbit' is 'kuneho' and 'ran' is 'tumakbó' but they showed up in the phrases as 'kuneho-ng' and 'tumakbó-ng'. Tagalog uses something called a "linker" that always surfaces in the context of modification.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Scontras |first1=Gregory |last2=Nicolae |first2=Andreea C. |title=Saturating syntax: Linkers and modification in Tagalog |journal=Lingua |date=September 2014 |volume=149 |page=21 |doi=10.1016/j.lingua.2014.05.005}}</ref> Modification only occurs when a linker is present. Tagalog has the linkers ''-ng'' and ''na.'' In the examples mentioned, the linker -<nowiki/>''ng'' was used because the word before the linker ends in a vowel. The second linker, ''na ''is used everywhere else (the ''na'' used in modification is not the same as the adverb ''na'' which means 'now' or 'already'). Seeing the enclitics ''-ng ''and ''na'' are good indications that there is modification in the clause. These linkers can appear before or after the modifier.

The following table<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Scontras |first1=Gregory |last2=Nicolae |first2=Andreea C. |title=Saturating syntax: Linkers and modification in Tagalog |journal=Lingua |date=September 2014 |volume=149 |page=23 |doi=10.1016/j.lingua.2014.05.005}}</ref> summarizes the distribution of the linker: 
{| class="wikitable"
!Required
!Prohibited
|-
|Attributive Adjective
|Predicative Adjective
|-
|Adverbial modifier
|Predicative Adverbial
|-
|Nominal Modifier
|Predicative Nominal
|-
|Relative Clause
|Matrix Clause
|}

===Sequence of modifiers in a noun phrase===
The following tables show a possible word order of a noun phrase containing a modifier.<ref>Ramos (1971), 126</ref> Since word order is flexible in Tagalog, there are other possible ways in which one could say these phrases. To read more on Tagalog word order, head to the Word Order section.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! !! Marker !! Possessive !! Quantity!! Verbal Phrase !! Adjectives !! Noun !! Head Noun
|-
| '''Example''' || ang|| kaniyáng|| apat na || piniritong || mahabang || Vigang || lumpiâ
|-
| '''Gloss''' || ''the'' || ''her'' || ''four'' || ''fried''|| ''long'' || ''Vigan'' || ''spring roll''
|-
| '''Translation''' ||colspan="7"| ''her four fried, long Vigan spring rolls''
|-
|colspan="8"|
|-
| '''Example''' || iyáng|| inyóng|| limáng kahóng || binasag ng batang || {{lang|tl|putíng}} || Intsík na || pinggán 
|-
| '''Gloss''' || ''those''|| ''your'' || ''five boxes'' || ''that the children broke'' || ''white'' || ''Chinese'' || ''plates'' 
|-
| '''Translation''' ||colspan="7"| ''those five boxes of yours of white Chinese plates that the children broke''
|}

==Enclitic particles==
Tagalog has enclitic particles that have important information conveying different nuances in meaning. Below is a list of Tagalog's enclitic particles.

#{{lang|tl|na}} and {{lang|tl|pa}}
#*{{lang|tl|na}}: now, already
#*{{lang|tl|pa}}: still, else, in addition, yet
#{{lang|tl|man}}, {{lang|tl|kahit}}: even, even if, even though
#{{lang|tl|bagamán}}: although
#{{lang|tl|ngâ}}: indeed; used to affirm or to emphasise. Also softens imperatives.
#{{lang|tl|din}} (after a vowel: {{lang|tl|rin}}): too, also
#{{lang|tl|lamang}} (contracted as {{lang|tl|lang}}): limiting particle; only or just
#{{lang|tl|daw}} (after a vowel: {{lang|tl|raw}}): a reporting particle that indicates the preceding information as secondhand; they say, he said, reportedly, supposedly, etc.
#{{lang|tl|pô}} (less respectful form: {{lang|tl|hô}}): marker indicating politeness.
#{{lang|tl|ba}}: used to end yes-and-no questions and optionally in other types of questions, similar to Japanese {{lang|ja-latn|-ka}} and Chinese ''ma'' (嗎), but not entirely.
#{{lang|tl|muna}}: for now, for a minute, and yet (when answering in the negative).
#{{lang|tl|namán}}: used in making contrasts; softens requests; emphasis
#{{lang|tl|kasí}}: expresses cause; because
#{{lang|tl|kayâ}}: expresses wonder; I wonder; perhaps (we should do something); also optionally used in yes-and-no questions and other forms of questions
#{{lang|tl|palá}}: expresses that the speaker has realized or suddenly remembered something; realization particle; apparently
#{{lang|tl|yatà}} (contracted as/informal: {{lang|tl|atà}}): expresses uncertainty; probably, perhaps, seems
#{{lang|tl|tulóy}}: used in cause and effect; as a result
#{{lang|tl|sana}}: expresses hope, unrealized condition (with the verb in completed aspect), used in [[conditional sentence]]s.

The order listed above is the order in which the particles follow if they are used in conjunction with each other. A more concise list of the orders of monosyllabic particles from Rubino (2002) is given below.<ref>Rubino, Carl Ralph. 2002. Tagalog-English, English-Tagalog dictionary / Taláhuluganang Pilipino-Ingglés, Ingglés-Pilipino Taláhuluganang. Conshohocken, PA: Hippocrene Books.</ref>
#{{lang|tl|na}} / {{lang|tl|pa}}
#{{lang|tl|ngâ}}
#{{lang|tl|din}} ~ {{lang|tl|rin}}
#{{lang|tl|daw}} ~ {{lang|tl|raw}}
#{{lang|tl|pô}} / {{lang|tl|hô}}
#{{lang|tl|ba}}

The particles {{lang|tl|na}} and {{lang|tl|pa}} cannot be used in conjunction with each other as well as {{lang|tl|pô}} and {{lang|tl|hô}}.

:*{{lang|tl|Dumatíng na raw palá ang lola mo.}}
::"Oh yes, your grandmother has apparently arrived."

:*{{lang|tl|Palitán mo na rin.}}
::"Do change it as well."

Note for "{{lang|tl|daw}}/{{lang|tl|raw}} and {{lang|tl|rin}}/{{lang|tl|din}}": If the preceding letter is a consonant except y and w, the letter d is used in any word, vice versa for r e.g., {{lang|tl|pagdárasal}}, instead of {{lang|tl|pagdádasal}}

Although in everyday speech, this rule is often ignored.

:*{{lang|tl|Walâ pa yatang asawa ang kapatíd niyá.}}
::"Perhaps his brother still hasn’t a wife."

:*{{lang|tl|Itó lang kayâ ang ibibigáy nilá sa amin?}}
::"I wonder, is the only thing that they'll be giving us?"

:*{{lang|tl|Nag-aral ka na ba ng wikang Kastilà?}}
::"Have you already studied the Spanish language?"

:*{{lang|tl|Batà pa kasí.}}
::"He's still young, is why."

:*{{lang|tl|Pakisulat mo ngâ muna ang iyóng pangalan dito.}}
::"Please, do write your name here first."

The words {{lang|tl|daw}} and {{lang|tl|raw}}, which mean “he said”/“she said”/“they said”, are sometimes joined to the real translations of “he said”/”she said”, which is {{lang|tl|sabi niyá}}, and “they said”, which is {{lang|tl|sabi nilá}}. They are also joined to the Tagalog of “you said”, which is {{lang|tl|sabi mo}}. But this time, both {{lang|tl|daw}} and {{lang|tl|raw}} mean “supposedly/reportedly”.

:*{{lang|tl|Sabi raw niyá. / Sabi daw niyá.}}
::"He/she supposedly said."

:*{{lang|tl|Sabi raw nilá. / Sabi daw nilá}}.
::"They supposedly said."

:*{{lang|tl|Sabi mo raw. / Sabi mo daw.}}
::"You supposedly said."

Although the word {{lang|tl|kasí}} is a native Tagalog word for “because” and not slang, it is still not used in formal writing. The Tagalog word for this is {{lang|tl|sapagká’t}} or {{lang|tl|sapagkát}}. Thus, the formal form of {{lang|tl|Batà pa kasí}} is {{lang|tl|Sapagká’t batà pa}} or {{lang|tl|Sapagkát batà pa}}. This is sometimes shortened to {{lang|tl|pagká’t}} or {{lang|tl|pagkát}}, so {{lang|tl|Sapagká’t batà pa}} is also written as {{lang|tl|Pagká’t batà pa}} or {{lang|tl|Pagkát batà pa}}. In both formal and everyday writing and speech, {{lang|tl|dahil sa}} (the oblique form of {{lang|tl|kasí}}; thus, its exact translation is “because of”) is also synonymous to {{lang|tl|sapagká’t}} ({{lang|tl|sapagkát}}), so the substitute of {{lang|tl|Sapagká’t batà pa}} for {{lang|tl|Batà pa kasí}} is {{lang|tl|Dahil sa batà pa}}. Most of the time in speech and writing (mostly every day and sometimes formal), {{lang|tl|dahil sa}} as the Tagalog of “because” is reduced to {{lang|tl|dahil}}, so {{lang|tl|Dahil sa batà pa}} is spoken simply as {{lang|tl|Dahil batà pa}}.

==Word order==

{{accessibility dispute|section|date=November 2021|reason=Missing image descriptions and in-text equivalents for syntax trees|talk=Missing image descriptions and or in-text equivalents for syntax trees in the Word order section}}

Tagalog has a flexible word order compared to English. While the verb always remains in the initial position, the order of noun phrase complements that follows is flexible. An example provided by Schacter and Otanes can be seen in (1).

{{interlinear|number=(1)|lang=tl
|c1=''(Kroeger, 1991: 136 (2))''
|Nagbigáy ng{{=}}libró sa{{=}}babae ang{{=}}lalaki
|gave GEN{{=}}book DAT{{=}}woman NOM{{=}}man
|The man gave the woman a book.}}

The flexibility of Tagalog word order can be seen in (2). There are six different ways of saying 'The man gave the woman a book.' in Tagalog. The following five sentences, along with the sentence from (1), include the same grammatical components and are all grammatical and identical in meaning but have different orders.

{| class="wikitable"
|+English: The man gave the woman a book.
|(2)
''(Kroeger, 1991: 136 (2))''
|
{{interlinear|lang=tl
| Nagbigáy ng{{=}}libró ang{{=}}lalaki sa{{=}}babae
| gave GEN{{=}}book NOM{{=}}man DAT{{=}}woman
|}}
{{interlinear|lang=tl
| Nagbigáy sa{{=}}babae ng{{=}}libró ang{{=}}lalaki
| gave DAT{{=}}woman GEN{{=}}book NOM{{=}}man
|}}
{{interlinear|lang=tl
| Nagbigáy sa{{=}}babae ang{{=}}lalaki ng{{=}}libró
| gave DAT{{=}}woman NOM{{=}}man GEN{{=}}book
|}}
{{interlinear|lang=tl
| Nagbigáy ang{{=}}lalaki sa{{=}}babae ng{{=}}libró
| gave NOM{{=}}man DAT{{=}}woman GEN{{=}}book
|}}
{{interlinear|lang=tl
| Nagbigáy ang{{=}}lalaki ng{{=}}libró sa{{=}}babae
| gave NOM{{=}}man GEN{{=}}book DAT{{=}}woman
|}}
|}

The principles in (3) help to determine the ordering of possible noun phrase complements.<ref>Kroeger (1991), 136 (2)</ref> In a basic clause where the patient takes the nominative case, principles (i) and (ii) requires the actor to precede the patient. In example (4a), the patient, ''<nowiki/>'liham''' (letter) takes the nominative case and satisfies principles (i) and (ii). The example in (4b) shows that the opposite ordering of the agent and patient does not result in an ungrammatical sentence but rather an unnatural one in Tagalog.

{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
{| class="wikitable"
| rowspan="3" |(3)
''(Kroeger, 1991: 137 (3))''
|(i) Actor phrase tends to precede all other arguments
|-
|(ii) Noun phrase which bears nominative case tends to follow all other arguments
|-
|(iii) "Heavier" noun phrases tend to follow "lighter" noun phrases
|}
{{Col-break}}
{{interlinear|number=(4a)
|c1=''(Kroeger, 1991: 137 (4))''
|Sinulat ni{{=}}Juan ang{{=}}liham.
|PERF{{=}}write GEN{{=}}John NOM{{=}}letter
|John wrote the letter.}}
{{interlinear|number=(4b)
|c1=''(Kroeger, 1991: 137 (4))''
|?Sinulat ang{{=}}liham ni{{=}}Juan
|PERF{{=}}write NOM{{=}}letter GEN{{=}}John
|John wrote the letter.}}
{{Col-end}}

In example (5), the verb, ''<nowiki/>'binihag','' (captivated) is marked for active voice and results in the actor ('<nowiki/>''Kuya Louis'<nowiki/>'') to take the nominative case. Example (5) doesn't satisfy principles (i) and (ii). That is, principle (i) requires the Actor ('<nowiki/>''Kuya Louis'<nowiki/>'') to precede all other arguments. However, since the Actor also takes the nominative case, principle (ii) requires the phrase '<nowiki/>''Kuya Louis''' to come last. The preferred order of agent and patient in Tagalog active clauses is still being debated. Therefore, we can assume that there are two "unmarked" word orders: VSO or VOS.

{{interlinear|number=(5)
|c1=''(Kroeger, 1991: 137 (5))''
|Binihag {si{{=}}Kuya Luis} ng{{=}}kagandahan ni{{=}}Emma
|PERF-capture-{{gcl|OV|objective version}} {NOM{{=}}big brother Luis} GEN{{=}}beauty GEN{{=}}Emma
|Big brother Luis was captivated by Emma's beauty.}}

A change in word order and trigger generally corresponds to a change in definiteness ("the" vs "a") in English. Example (6) shows a change in word order, triggered by the indirect, "ng." Example (7) shows a change in word order, triggered by the direct, ''"ang."''

<section begin="list-of-glossing-abbreviations"/><div style="display:none;">
DIR:direct
INDIR:indirect
</div><section end="list-of-glossing-abbreviations"/>
{{interlinear|number=(6)
|B(in)asa ng tao ang libró.
|{{gcl|P|patient}}{{=}}read INDIR person DIR book
|A person read the book.}}

{{interlinear|number=(7)
|B(um)asa ang tao ng libró
|{{gcl|A|agent}}{{=}}read DIR person INDIR book
|The person read a book.}}

Word order may be inverted (referred to in Tagalog grammar as ''Kabalikáng Anyô'') by way of the inversion marker '<nowiki/>''ay'' ' ('' ’y'' after vowels in informal speech, not usually used in writing). Contrary to popular belief, this is not the [[copula (linguistics)|copula]] 'to be' as '<nowiki/>''ay'<nowiki/>'' does not behave as an existential marker in an SVO structure and an inverted form VSO does not require ''<nowiki/>'ay''' since the existentiality is denoted by case marking. A slight, but optional, pause in speech or a comma in writing may replace the inversion marker. This construction is often viewed by native speakers as formal or literary.

In this construction (ay-inversion), the ''<nowiki/>'ay''' appears between the fronted constituent and the remainder of the clause. The fronted constituent in the construction includes locations and adverbs. Example (8)- (11) shows the inverted form of the sentences in the previous examples above.

{{interlinear|number=(8)
|Ang batà ay kumakantá
|DIR child '''ay''' singing
|The child is singing.}}

{{interlinear|number=(9)
|Ang serbesa 'y iniinom nila
|DIR beer '''ay''' drinking them
|They are drinking the beer.}}

{{interlinear|number=(10)
|Ang mga{{=}}dalaga 'y magagandá.
|DIR PL{{=}}girls '''ay''' beautiful
|The girls are beautiful.}}

{{interlinear|number=(11)
|Ang ulán ay malakás
|DIR rain '''ay''' strong
|The rain is strong.}}

In (8) and (11), the fronted constituent is the subject. On the other hand, in (9), the fronted constituent is the object. Another example of a fronted constituent in Tagalog is, ''wh-phrases''. Wh-phrases include interrogative questions that begin with: who, what, where, when, why, and how. In Tagalog, wh-phrases occur to the left of the clause. For example, in the sentence, 'Who are you?'<nowiki/>'', ''which translates to, '<nowiki/>''Sino ka?''' occurs to the left of the clause. The syntactic tree of this sentence is found in (12a). As we can see in (12a), the complementizer position is null. However, in the case where an overt complementizer is present, Sabbagh (2014) proposes that the wh-phrase lowers from Spec, CP, and adjoins to TP when C is overt (12b). The operation in (12b) is known as, WhP lowering.

{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
[[File:Example 12.png|thumb|left|(12a) Syntax tree, made with http://mshang.ca/syntree/]]
{{Col-break}}
[[File:Example 12a.png|thumb|center|(12a), Syntax tree adapted from Sabbagh (2014), example 62, made with http://mshang.ca/syntree/]]
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This operation of lowering can also be applied in sentences to account for the verb-initial word order in Tagalog. The subject-lowering analysis states that "the subject lowers from Spec, TP and adjoins to a projection dominated by TP.".<ref name="Sabbagh 2014, 70 55">Sabbagh (2014), 70 (55)</ref> If we use the example from (2), 
'''Nagbigáy ang lalaki ng libró sa babae.''' and applied subject lowering, we would see the syntax tree in (13a).If we lowered the subject, '''ang lalaki,''' to an intermediate position within VP, we would be able to achieve a VOS word order and still satisfy subject lowering.<ref name="Sabbagh 2014, 70 55"/> This can be seen in (13b).

{{Col-begin}}
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[[File:Syntax tree 3.png|thumb|left|(13a) Syntax tree, adapted from Sabbagh (2014), 70 (55), made with http://mshang.ca/syntree/]]
{{Col-break}}{{Col-end}}

Lowering is motivated by a prosodic constraint called, WeakStart.<ref>Sabbagh (2014), 62 (45)</ref> This constraint is largely based on the [[phonological hierarchy]]. This constraint requires the first phonological element within a phonological domain to be lower on the prosodic hierarchy than elements that follow it, within the same domain.<ref>Sabbagh (2014), 59</ref>

==Negation==
There are three negation words: ''hindî'', ''walâ'', and ''huwág''.

'''Hindî''' negates verbs and equations. It is sometimes contracted to ''‘dî''.

*''Hindî akó magtatrabaho bukas.''
:"I will not work tomorrow."

*''Hindî mayaman ang babae.''
:"The woman is not rich."

'''Walâ''' is the opposite of ''may'' and ''mayroón'' ("there is").

*''Walâ akóng pera.''
*''Akó ay waláng pera.''
:"I do not have money."

*''Waláng libró sa loób ng bahay niyá.''
:"There are no books in his house."

'''Huwág''' is used in expressing negative commands. It can be used for the infinitive and the future aspect. It is contracted as ''‘wag''.

*''Huwág kang umiyák.''
:"Do not cry."

*''Huwág kayóng tumakbó rito.''
:"Do not run here."

There are two (or more) special negative forms for common verbs:

*''Gustó/Ibig/Nais ko nang kumain.''
:"I would like to eat now." (Positive)

*''Ayaw ko pang kumain.''
:"I don't want to eat yet." (Negative)

==Interrogative words==
Tagalog's interrogative words are: ''alín'', ''anó'', ''bákit'', ''gaáno'', ''gaálin'', ''makáilan'', ''ilán'', ''kailán'', ''kaníno'', ''kumustá'', ''magkáno'', ''nakaníno'', ''nasaán'', ''níno'', ''paáno'', ''pasaán'', ''saán'', ''tagasaán'', and ''síno''. With the exceptions of ''bakit'', ''kamustá(maáno)'', and ''nasaán'', all of the interrogative words have optional plural forms which are formed by reduplication. They are used when the person who is asking the question anticipates a plural answer and can be called wh-phrases. The syntactic position of these types of phrases can be seen in [[#(12a)|(12a)]].

{{interlinear|number=(14a)
|Alíng palda ang gustó mo?
|Which skirt DEF like you
|Which skirt do you like?}}

{{interlinear|number=(14b)
|Anó ang ginagawâ mo?
|What DEF doing you?
|What are you doing?}}

{{interlinear|number=(14c)
|Bakit nasa Barcelona sila?
|Why in Barcelona they
|Why are they in Barcelona?}}

{{interlinear|number=(14d)
|Kailán uuwì si-{{=}}Victor
|When {go home} Victor
|When will Victor go home?}}

{{interlinear|number=(14e)
|Nasaán si{{=}}Antonia?
|Where Antonia
|Where is Antonia?}}

'''Gaano''' (from ''ga-'' + ''anó'') means ''how'' but is used in inquiring about the quality of an adjective or an adverb. The root word of the modifier is prefixed with ''ga-'' in this construction (16a).'''Ilán''' means ''how many'' (16b). '''Kumustá''' is used to inquire how something is (are).(16c) It is frequently used as a greeting meaning ''How are you?'' It is derived from the Spanish ''¿cómo está?''. '''Magkano''' (from ''mag-'' + ''gaano'') means ''how much'' and is usually used in inquiring the price of something (16d). '''Paano''' (from ''pa-'' + ''anó'') is used in asking ''how'' something is done or happened (16e).

{{interlinear|number=(15a)
|Gaano ka katagál sa Montreal?
|How you long in Montreal?
|How long will you be in Montreal?}}

{{interlinear|number=(15b)
|Iláng taón ka na?
|{How many} year you now?
|How old are you?}}

{{interlinear|number=(15c)
|Kumusta ka?
|How you?
|How are you?}}

{{interlinear|number=(15d)
|Magkano ang kotseng iyón?
|{How much} DEF car that
|How much is that car?}}

{{interlinear|number=(15e)
|Paano mo gagawin?
|How you do
|How will you do this?}}

{{interlinear|number=(15f)
|Gaalin galíng dito hanggang doon?
|{How long} from here to there
|How long does it take from here to there?}}

'''Nino''' (from ''ni'' + ''anó'') means ''who'', ''whose'', and ''whom'' (18a). It is the indirect and genitive form of ''sino''. '''Sino''' (from ''si'' + ''anó'') means ''who'' and ''whom'' and it is in the direct form (18b). '''Kanino''' (from ''kay'' + ''anó'') means ''whom'' or ''whose'' (18c). It is the oblique form of ''sino'' (who).

{{interlinear|number=(18a)
|Ginawâ nino?
|PAST{{=}}do Who
|Who did it?}}

{{interlinear|number=(18b)
|Sino siyá
|Who she/he
|Who is he/she?}}

{{interlinear|number=(18c)
|Kanino itó
|Whose this
|Whose is this?}}

==See also==
*[[Abakada alphabet]]
*[[Commission on the Filipino Language]]
*[[Filipino alphabet]]
*[[Filipino orthography]]
*[[Tagalog phonology]]
*[[Old Tagalog]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* Kroeger, P. R. (1991). Phrase structure and grammatical relations in Tagalog
* Ramos, T. (1971). Tagalog Structures. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press. p.&nbsp;126.
* Rubino, C. (2002). Tagalog-English, English-Tagalog dictionary / Taláhuluganang Pilipino-Ingglés, Ingglés-Pilipino Taláhuluganang. Conshohocken, PA: Hippocrene Books.
* Sabbagh, J. (2014). Word order and Prosodic‐Structure constraints in Tagalog. Syntax, 17(1), 40–89. {{doi|10.1111/synt.12012}}
* Sabbagh, J. (2011). Adjectival passives and the structure of VP in Tagalog. ''Lingua, 121'', 1424–1452. {{doi|10.1016/j.lingua.2011.03.006}}
* Scontras, G. & Nicolae A. (2014). Saturating syntax: Linkers and modification in Tagalog. ''Lingua, 149'', 17–33. {{doi|10.1016/j.lingua.2014.05.005}}
*''Baybayin: Paglalayag sa Wika at Panitikan 8'' by Remedios Infantado {{ISBN|978-971-23-7030-4}} pp.&nbsp;133–134, 169
*''Bagong Likha: Wika at Pagbasa 4'', by Ester V. Raflores {{ISBN|978-971-655-331-4}}, pp.&nbsp;239, 252–253, 267–268, 283, 326–327, 341–342
*''Pinagyamang Pluma 9,'' by Ailene G. Baisa-Julian, Mary Grace G. del Rosario, Nestor S. Lontoc {{ISBN|978-971-06-3652-5}}, p.&nbsp;86, 383
* [https://samutsamot.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/mga-uri-ng-pang-uri.pdf mga-uri-ng-pang-uri.pdf]. ''samutsamot.files.wordpress.com''. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
* ''Baybayin: Paglalayag sa Wika at Panitikan 7'' by Ramilito Correa {{ISBN|978-971-23-7028-1}} p.&nbsp;19

==External links==
{{Wiktionary category|category=Tagalog language}}
{{InterWiki|code=tl|Tagalog language}}
{{Wikibooks|Tagalog}}
{{WikisourceWiki|Tagalog}}
{{Wikivoyage|Filipino phrasebook}}
* [https://learningtagalog.com/grammar/ Tagalog grammar] Free and comprehensive Tagalog grammar reference
* [http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/tagalog_mainpage.htm Interactive Language and Filipino Culture Resources] Part of the SEAsite Project at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, USA
{{language grammars}}

[[Category:Tagalog language| ]]
[[Category:Austronesian grammars]]