Verbs: Conditional Mood (if / when)

01

The Endings

The ending names who the "if" is about. Most endings begin with g after a vowel and k after a consonant, and lose the g after r:

• "if I": -guma after a vowel, -kuma after a consonant, -uma after r
• "if you": -guit, -kuit, -uit
• "if he, she, it": -ppat after a vowel, -pat after a consonant or r
• "if we": -gutta, -kutta, -utta
• "if you" (several people): -gussi, -kussi, -ussi
• "if they": -ppata, -pata

• Apuukkuma allaffissiamik nassikkumaarpakkit.

  I'll send you a postcard when I arrive. (-kuma "when I")

• Aperiguit akissummik pinnassaatit.

  If you ask a question, you will get an answer. (-guit "if you")

• Timmisartoq mippat itersarsinnaavinga?

  Can you wake me up when the airplane lands? (-ppat "when it")

• Minutsit tallimat qaangiuppata qulinngussaaq.

  In five minutes, it will be ten. (-pata: lit. when five minutes have passed)

02

A Suggestion

"If we …" on its own, as a question, makes a suggestion.

• Uffami neriniartarfimmut neriartorutta?

  Why don't we go to a restaurant? (-utta "if we": lit. what if we went out to eat?)

03

With an Object

With an object the endings name it too: -gukku is "if I … it" or "if you … it", and -gumma "if you … me".

• Oqaluffik tikikkukku talerpimmut sangussaatit.

  Turn right at the church. (-kukku: lit. when you reach the church, you will turn right)

• Oqarfigisimasuugumma aningaasanik tunisimassagaluarpakkit.

  If you had told me, I would have given you money. (-gumma "if you … me")

04

If It Were So

The conditional also carries "if I were …" and "if I had …". The main verb then takes -galuar- "would", usually after -ssa- "will".

• Pisoorsuaasuuguma anginerusumik ineqassagaluarpunga.

  If I were rich, I would own a bigger apartment.

• Illiusuuguma taamaaliussanngikkaluarpunga.

  I wouldn't do that if I were you.

05

On a Coming Day

The name of a weekday in the conditional means "on this coming …day".

• Tallimanngorpat periarfissaqarpunga.

  I am available on Friday. (lit. when it becomes Friday)