Verb Tense and Aspect

Qebaric verbs distinguish tense and aspect through suffixes attached to a working verb stem.

Most dictionary verbs end in -hen or -en.

Verb Formula

[NEGATION] + [VERB STEM] + [TENSE / ASPECT]

The working stem is formed by removing the infinitive ending.

Present Habitual

The present habitual is usually represented by the bare dictionary form.

Examples:

• rathen = travels / to travel

• sunhen = says / to say

• ramhen = thinks / to think

Present Continuous

Continuous action uses:

-ak

Examples:

• rathak = is traveling

• sunhak = is speaking

• ramhak = is thinking

Past / Perfective

Completed action uses:

-ud

Examples:

• rathud = traveled

• sunhud = spoke

• ramhud = thought

Future / Prospective

Expected or future action uses:

-en

Examples:

• rathen = will travel

• sunhen = will say

• ramhen = will think

Negation

Negation uses the separate particle:

nu

Examples:

• nu rathen = does not travel

• nu sunhen = does not say

• nu ramhen = does not think

Verb Tense and Aspect Table