Verb Focus System

Understanding Actor, Object, Locative, and Instrumental Focus

Overview

One of the most important features of Bisaya is the verb focus system. Verbs change their form to indicate what part of the sentence is being emphasized or focused on. This is a key concept that differs significantly from English. There are four main focus types: • Actor Focus (AF) - emphasizes who does the action (mo-, mag-, mi-) • Object/Patient Focus (OF) - emphasizes what receives the action (-on, gi-) • Locative/Referent Focus (LF) - emphasizes location, direction, or beneficiary (-an) • Instrumental Focus (IF) - emphasizes the tool or means used (i-)

Examples

Mopalit ko ug sapatos (Actor Focus)

I will buy shoes

💡 Focus is on the actor (ko/I) - who is doing the buying. Uses 'ug' for indefinite object.

Paliton nako ang sapatos (Object Focus)

I will buy the shoes

💡 Focus is on the object (sapatos) - what is being bought. Uses '-on' suffix.

Palitan nako ang tindahan (Locative Focus)

I will buy from the store

💡 Focus is on the location (tindahan) - where the buying happens. Uses '-an' suffix.

Ipalit nako ang kwarta (Instrumental Focus)

I will use the money to buy

💡 Focus is on the instrument (kwarta) - what is used for buying. Uses 'i-' prefix.

Mikaon ko ug isda (AF - completed)

I ate fish

💡 Actor focus with completed aspect 'mi-' prefix

Gikaon nako ang isda (OF - completed)

I ate the fish

💡 Object focus with completed aspect 'gi-' prefix

💡 Tips to Remember

•Actor focus: mo-, mag- (contemplated) / mi-, nag- (completed)
•Object focus: -on (contemplated) / gi- (completed)
•Locative focus: -an suffix - marks location, direction, or sometimes beneficiary
•Instrumental focus: i- prefix - marks the tool/means used
•The focused element uses 'ang' marker, while others use 'ug/og' or 'sa'
•Start with actor focus, then learn object focus - these are most common

Common Sentence Patterns

Locative Focus (-an Suffix)