Verbs: Causative Mood (because / when)

01

The Endings

The ending names who does the "because" or "when" action. Most endings begin with g after a vowel and k after a consonant, and lose the g after r:

• "I": -gama after a vowel, -kama after a consonant, -ama after r
• "you": -gavit, -kavit, -avit
• "he, she, it": -mmat after a vowel, -mat after a consonant or r
• "he, she, it", the same person as the subject of the main verb: -gami, -kami, -ami
• "we": -gatta, -katta, -atta
• "you" (several people): -gassi, -kassi, -assi
• "they": -mmata, -mata

• Piffissaqanngilanga, tuaviorama.

  I have no time, because I'm in a hurry.

• Qujanaq aperigavit.

  Thank you for asking.

• Isermata iterpoq.

  When they came in, he woke up. (-mata "when they")

02

When It Had Happened

For "when" about the past, the causative verb tells what happened first, and the main verb what followed.

• Iserama matu matuaa.

  She closed the door after I came in.

• Naatitsiveqarfimmi suligama assakka annernarput.

  My hands hurt after working on a farm. (-gama: lit. because I worked)

03

What Happened?

A question with a question word often takes the causative. It asks about what has happened, and often about how things are now. Standing alone, such a question uses the -gami form for "he, she, it".

• Sugavit?

  What happened? (lit. what did you do?)

• Qanga pigami?

  When did it happen?

04

Whenever, As Soon As

-gaangama "whenever I" and -gaangat "whenever he, she, it" take the place of the ending. -riar- before the ending gives "as soon as".

• Ilinniaraangama assut qasulertarpunga.

  Whenever I study, I get very tired.

• Aneriarmat iserpunga.

  As soon as he went out, I went in.

05

Not

In the negative the endings are -nnginnama "because I don't", -nnginnavit "because you don't", -nngimmat "because he, she, it doesn't".

• Piffissaqannginnama.

  Because I have no time. (piffissaqar- "have time" + -nnginnama)

06

With an Object

With an object, -gakku is "because I … it" or "because you … it", and -gakkit "… them".

• Apriilip qaammataa nuannarinerpaavara. Upernaaq nuannarinerpaagakku.

  April is my favorite month. I love spring. (-gakku: lit. because I like spring best)