Ongoing Action: 'i stap' and 'wok long'

01

'i stap' After the Verb

stap placed after a verb says the action is going on. This is the same word as the verb "to stay", pressed into service to mean that the action is staying in place.

• Mi dring wara i stap.

  I am drinking water.

• Yu slip i stap.

  You are sleeping.

• Teksi i wet i stap.

  The taxi is waiting.

02

'wok long' Before the Verb

wok long does the same job from the other side. It is built from wok, to work, and carries a slight sense of being occupied with the action.

• Ol i wok long kukim lans.

  They are cooking lunch.

• Yu wok long harim wanem samting?

  What are you listening to?

• Em i wok long senis.

  It is changing.

• Mi wok long wari olsem em i lus.

  I'm worrying that it's lost.

03

Neither Is Obligatory

A bare verb can perfectly well describe something in progress if the context makes that clear. These markers are used when the ongoing quality is the point - when it matters that the action was still going on, or was interrupted, or is happening right now as you speak.

• Em kaikai.

  He is eating.

• Ol bas i wok long kam long bas stop.

  The buses are coming to the bus stop.

04

Which One to Use

i stap is the commoner of the two. wok long is built on wok "work", and presents the subject as engaged in the action rather than merely in the middle of it. Em i wok long senis is close to "it is busy changing".

05

Both at Once

The two can combine, with wok long in front and i stap behind, which puts the emphasis firmly on the action continuing.

• Ol i wok long kaikai i stap.

  They are eating away.

• Long nait mi wok long tingting i stap.

  At night I lie there thinking.

• Mi wok long krai i stap na mi les tru.

  I keep crying and I'm worn out.

06

'stap yet' - Still

Adding yet gives "still", saying the situation has not yet ended.

• Yupela i dring susu i stap yet.

  You are still drinking milk.

• Gras i stap yet long hapsait.

  The grass is still there on the other side.

• Mipela i gat tupela aua i stap yet.

  We still have two hours left.

07

Not the Verb 'stap'

This stap is a particle, not the verb meaning "to be somewhere". The verb stands alone or before long; the particle always follows another verb. Mi stap long maket is "I am at the market"; Mi kaikai i stap is "I am eating".