Verb Aspect and Polarity

Morthic verbs focus on state of action rather than fine tense distinctions. A verb can be general, completed, ongoing, future-facing, retrospective, or imperative.

Negation is built directly into the verb phrase with prefixes. The ordinary negative prefix is un-, while negative commands use van-.

Verb Formula

[NEGATION] + [ROOT] + [ASPECT / MOOD]

Affirmative verbs use the bare root plus suffixes.

Negative verbs usually add un- before the root.

Negative imperatives use van- before the root.

Core Verb Forms

• General: bare root

• Completed: -ak

• Ongoing: -un

• Future: -vor

• Retrospective: -aak

• Imperative: -ah

Negation

• un- = ordinary negation

• van- = blocked command / negative imperative

• completed negative often uses -ik instead of -ak

Examples:

• gash = cuts / to cut

• un-gash = does not cut

• gash-ak = cut / has cut

• un-gash-ik = did not cut

• gash-ah = cut!

• van-gash-ah = do not cut!

Verb Aspect and Polarity Table

Example with Gash