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# Learn Object-Focused Verbs And Choose The Right Doer Pronoun
- URL: https://www.aralinworld.com/learn-object-focused-verbs-and-choose-the-right-doer-pronoun/
- Published: 2025-04-02T19:00:14.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-25T05:34:23.000Z
- Description: Dive deeper into Tagalog Object-Focused verbs. Learn how to form sentences correctly with examples, Tagalog Grammar tips, and fun quizzes. Be part of this fantastic Tagalog journey!
- Author: Albine Bodo
- Tags: Tagalog Verb Tenses

Tagalog verbs are classified based on their focus, which indicates whether the subject or the object is emphasized in a sentence. **Object-Focused Verbs** highlight the **object** that receives the action rather than the doer of the action. Understanding how to use object focused verbs correctly is essential for constructing **clear and grammatically correct Tagalog sentences**.

A grammatically correct sentence means the object focused verb works together with the **correct doer pronoun** so that the speaker's idea is not distorted upon reaching the other end.

Tagalog grammar is a complex Science and if you need related lessons leading to Object-Focused Verbs, I have created a series called [**Tagalog Verb Tenses**](https://www.aralinworld.com/tag/tagalog-verb-tenses/) so feel free to check it out. It is designed to help you improve your basic skills in grammar.

### Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Understand what an object-focused verb is.
2. Know the first three types of object-focused verbs.
3. Learn the various pronouns that are a doer of the action when paired with an object-focused verb.
4. Learn various sentence structures in Tagalog language.
5. Construct a simple Tagalog sentence using object-focused verbs with a pronoun as the doer of the action.

### Delimitations

This tutorial does not answer the following questions:

1. When to use suffix "hin" instead of "in"?
2. When to use suffix "han" instead of "an"?

## Introduction To Object-Focused Verbs

Object-focused verbs take a prefix, an infix, a suffix, or combinations of these to **work with a verb root** to form the infinitive and its corresponding imperative and indicative moods. These affixes indicate that the focus of the sentence is on the object being acted upon. 

**Object-focused verbs take the passive voice** in Tagalog sentences. Passive Voice means **the doer is *not* the subject** of the statement, as opposed to Active Voice in which the doer *is* the subject.

## Types of Object-Focused Verbs in Tagalog Grammar

Tagalog verbs are grouped according to which prefix, infix or suffix is used to modify a verb. In this tutorial, I will only introduce **the first 3 Types of Object-Focused Verbs** because of their simplicity.

The three types of object-focused verbs are the following:

1. The IN Verbs
2. The AN Verbs
3. The I-Verbs

Before I proceed to the main discussion, I would like to emphasize that there are other verb groups under the **Object-Focused Verb family.** Others are more complicated for beginners in Tagalog because some verb groups involve clustered prefixes, and some involve combinations of a prefix and a suffix to conjugate the verb. 

To make this tutorial shorter, we are only dealing with **the most simple forms of object-focused verbs**.

## What are IN Verbs?

The IN verb group, as the name suggests, adds a suffix "in" to a verb root word. For example: if the root word is 'punô' (full), the verb is *punuín* (to fill in, to fill up, or to pour).

IN verbs usually express that **the action is intentional.** Here are more examples of this verb group:

- Lutuin (to cook; verb root is *luto*)
- Ayusin (to fix or to arrange; verb root is *ayos*)
- Kantahín (to sing; verb root is *kantá*)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/01/ab/01abacde-23af-49ef-a34c-35ef090904c6/content/images/2025/04/P4221722_Original.jpeg) 

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## What are AN Verbs?

The second group of object-focused verbs that I'd like to demonstrate to you is the AN verb. This time, the infinitive of the verb is formed by adding the suffix "an" to the root word.

See the following examples of AN verbs:

- Ayusan (to fix; verb root is *ayos*)
- Kantahán (to sing; verb root is *kantá*)
- Bawasan (to deduct; verb root is *bawas*)

Some AN verbs mean that **the action affects, receives or benefits *not* the doer** but the *subject of the statement* which is either a person, a place, a thing, or an event. Most specifically, it means that the focus is **directed towards the location** where the action is acted upon. The location can either be physical or abstract.

## What are I-Verbs?

I-verbs are formed by using the prefix i followed by the verb root. If the root word, for example, is 'bigáy' (give) then the infinitive form of the verb is *ibigáy* (to give).

Here are a few more examples:

- Ibawas (to deduct; verb root is *bawas*)
- Ipikít (to close eyes; verb root is *pikít*)
- Isulat (to write; verb root is *sulat*)
- Ibilí (to buy; verb root is *bilí)*

With the prefix i, the verb is modified such that it means the subject of the statement is **being moved, transferred, or used, or an agent is acting on behalf of it**.

### Tagalog Verb Tenses

Table below gives you the Indicative Moods of the verbs:

| Verb Root | Past Tense | Present Tense | Future Tense |
| --------- | ---------- | ------------- | ------------ |
| punô      | pinunô     | pinupunô      | pupunuín     |
| lutò      | nilutò     | nilulutò      | lulutuin     |
| ayos      | inayos     | inaayos       | aayusin      |
| kantá     | kinantá    | kinakantá     | kakantahín   |
| bawas     | binawasan  | binabawasan   | babawasan    |
| bawas     | ibinawas   | ibinabawasan  | ibabawas     |
| pikít     | ipinikít   | ipinipikít    | ipipikít     |
| sulat     | isinulat   | isinusulat    | isusulat     |
| bigáy     | ibinigáy   | ibinibigáy    | ibibigáy     |
| ibilí     | ibinilí    | ibinibilí     | ibibilí      |

If you are a paid subscriber and if you need to **learn how to conjugate the verbs** in their past, present, and future tenses follow the link below:

- For IN Verbs: [How to Conjugate IN Verbs](https://www.aralinworld.com/how-to-conjugate-in-verbs-tagalog-verbs-tutorial/)
- For AN Verbs: \[ [How to Conjugate An Verbs](https://www.aralinworld.com/conjugate-an-verbs-in-tagalog-language-past-present-and-future-tenses/) \]
- For I-Verbs: \[ *available soon* \]

![How to use Object-Focused verbs in daily Tagalog conversation?](https://storage.ghost.io/c/01/ab/01abacde-23af-49ef-a34c-35ef090904c6/content/images/2025/04/Object-Focused-Verbs.png.jpeg)

Object-Focused Verbs For Daily Tagalog Conversation. (Graphics and design elements by Canva)

## How to Use Object-Focused Verbs in a Tagalog Sentence?

Using object-focused verbs in a sentence can be difficult for English speakers but I am confident that I can shed some light on you.

Most importantly, I would like to help you understand the **Tagalog sentence structure**. A sentence can have four parts:

1. **Verb**: The action word but it should be part of the object-focused verb family.
2. **Doer**: It can be a noun or a pronoun. *In this lesson, let us only consider the pronouns, identified in the next section*.
3. **Indirect Object**: It can be a noun or a pronoun. If it is a noun, you want to mention the marker "**ng**", or "**ni**" before it. Use *ng* if the noun is a generic name but use *ni* before the name of a person. If it is a pronoun, you want the **Objective Pronouns** *ko*, *mo*, *niyá*, *natin*, *namin*, *ninyó*, or *nilá*.
4. **Subject**: It answers the question "What are you talking about?". It is either a noun or a pronoun. If it is a noun, it must come **after the marker** "**ang**" but if it is a pronoun, use only the **Subjective Pronouns** *akó*, *ikáw*, *ka*, *siyá*, *tayo*, *kamí,* *kayó*, or *silá*. If it is a name of a person, it must **come after the marker** "**ni**".

Let me demonstrate further through the table below:

| Verb Root  | Doer  | Indirect Object    | Subject       |
| ---------- | ----- | ------------------ | ------------- |
| pinupunô   | ko    | ng kapé            | ang tasa      |
| lulutuin   | niyá  | \-                 | ang manók     |
| ayusin     | mo    | ni Ante            | ang kwarto    |
| kinantá    | niyá  | ni Freddie Aguilar | ang kantá     |
| kakantahán | ninyó | ng National Anthem | kamí          |
| binawasan  | nilá  | \-                 | ang tinapay   |
| ipipikít   | ko    | ko                 | ang mga mata  |
| isinulat   | namin | na narinig namin   | ang mga bagay |
| ibibilí    | natin | ng sapatos         | si Rina       |

Here are the sentences:

| Tagalog Sentences                             | Help with English                                                                               |
| --------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Pinunô ko ng kapé ang tasa.                   | Pouring me NG coffee ANG cup "*The cup is being poured with coffee by me.*"                     |
| Lulutuin niyá ang manók                       | Will cook his/her ANG chicken "*The chicken is to be cooked by him/her.*"                       |
| Ayusin mo ang kwarto ni Ante.                 | Put in order you ANG room NI Ante"*Put in order Ante's room.*"                                  |
| Kinantá niyá ang kantá ni Freddie Aguilar     | Sang by him/her ANG song NI Freddie Aguilar"*The song of Freddie Aguilar was sang by him/her.*" |
| Kakantahán ninyó kamí ng National Anthem.     | Will sing you us NG National Anthem "*We will be sang for a National Anthem by you.*"           |
| Binawasan nilá ang tinapay.                   | Deducted them ANG bread "*The bread was deducted by them.*"                                     |
| Ipipikít ko ang mga mata ko.                  | Will close eyes I ANG eyes my "*My eyes will be closed by myself.*"                             |
| Isinulat namin ang mga bagay na narinig namin | Wrote us ANG things that heard we "*The things that we heard will be written by us.*"           |
| Ibibil natin ng sapatos si Rina.              | Will buy us NG shoes SI Rina "*Rina will be bought for by us a pair of shoes.*"                 |

As a beginner in Tagalog, and if your primary language is English, the structure of Tagalog sentences is quite not normal to you.

Notice that the sentences above start with a verb and then followed by a pronoun which is the doer of the action. The subject is mentioned last most of the time but not all the time, but be sure to **use the right subject marker**.

Use the following **pattern** when constructing a sentence with an **object-focused verb paired with a pronoun as the doer of the action**:

\[OF Verb\] + \[Doer Pronoun\] + \[Indirect Object\] + \[Subject\]

Depending on the nature of the verb, **the sentence can be is as simple as** this:

\[OF Verb\] + \[Doer Pronoun\] + \[Subject\]

If the indirect object serves **to describe the subject**, follow this pattern:

\[OF Verb\] + \[Doer Pronoun\] + \[Subject\] + \[Indirect Object\] 

The key to **successful sentence construction** with object-focused verbs is being comfortable with the **passive voice of verbs**. The following are characteristics of the passive voice of verbs, which also apply to object-focused verbs:

1. With passive voice, the doer is not the subject of the statement.
2. The subject is not the entity that moves.
3. Some sentences mean that the subject is the recipient of the action.
4. Some sentences mean that the action is directed towards the subject.
5. Some sentences mean that the doer is acting on behalf of the subject.

### Test Your Tagalog Grammar

Instruction: Given the sentences below, identify the verb, the doer pronoun, the subject, and the indirect object in each of the statement:

1. Bibigyán ko ikáw ng bulaklák.  
Verb: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_  
Doer Pronoun: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_  
Subject: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_  
Indirect Object: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
2. Hahanapin niyá ang asò.  
Verb: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_  
Doer Pronoun: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_  
Subject: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_  
Indirect Object: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
3. Lalagyán natin ng kanin ang pinggán.  
Verb: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_  
Doer Pronoun: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_  
Subject: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_  
Indirect Object: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Do you wish to see the **Answers Key**? Download the printable version of our Worksheets! Find the link down below, after the *Test Your Sentence Construction* section.

## The Set of Tagalog Doer Pronouns that Go with Passive Voice of Verbs

As promised, this tutorial highlights the use of object-focused verbs paired with a doer pronoun. These combinations are difficult to master that is why I tend to isolate this specific subject matter.

The following is a list of **Doer Pronouns for Object-Focused Verbs**:

1. Ko (1st person, singular)
2. Mo (2nd person, singular)
3. Niyá (3rd person, singular)
4. Natin (1st person, plural but inclusive)
5. Namin (1st person, plural but exclusive)
6. Ninyó (2nd person, plural)
7. Nilá (3rd person, plural)

If these pronouns are not linked with an object-focused verb, they are **possessive pronouns by default**. For example:

- Bahay ko (*my house*)
- Lupà niyá (*his/her lot*)
- Guró mo (*your teacher*)
- Bansâ nilá (*their country*)
- Pagkain ninyó (*your food*)

**When linked with an object-focused verb**, be comfortable to flip it around. It means that **the pronoun is the doer of the action**, like the following phrases:

1. "**pinunô ko**" means "poured **by me**", but that is not natural to an English speaker so you say: "*I poured a thing into something*", naturally.
2. "**lulutuin niyá**" means "to be cooked **by him/her**", but that is not natural to an English speaker so you say: "*He/she will cook something*", naturally.
3. "**inaayos mo**" means "being arranged **by you**", but that is not natural to an English speaker so you say: "*You are arranging something*", naturally.
4. "**binawasan natin**" means "deducted **by us**", but that is not natural to an English speaker so you say: "*We deducted a thing from something*", naturally.
5. "**ibibilí nilá**" means "to be bought for you **by them**", but that is not natural to an English speaker so you say: "*they will buy for you something*", naturally.

### Test Your Sentence Construction

Given the verb, the doer pronoun hint, the subject, and the indirect object, write the sentence in Tagalog. If applicable, include the right markers to both subject and indirect object.

1. **Verb**: inaalala (*being worried*)  
Doer Pronoun: 3rd person singular  
Subject: kinabukasan (*future life*)  
Indirect Object: ko  
**Your Sentence**: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
2. **Verb:** tuturuan (*to be taught*)  
Doer Pronoun: 2nd person singular  
Subject: akó  
Indirect Object: sayáw (*dance*)  
**Your Sentence**: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
3. **Verb**: dinalhán (*brought*)  
Doer Pronoun: 1st person singular  
Subject: Arthur  
Indirect Object: pagkain (*food*)  
**Your Sentence**: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
4. **Verb**: isinasama (*being tagged along*)  
Doer Pronoun: 3rd person plural  
Subject: pusà (*cat*)  
Indirect Object: Gabriel  
**Your Sentence**: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
5. **Verb**: binuksán (*opened*)  
Doer Pronoun: 1st person singular  
Subject: bintanà (*window*)  
**Your Sentence**: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

## Put Your Tagalog Practice Into Writing

Commit to Object-Focused Verbs daily practice by downloading a copy of our worksheets! That is where you can find your **Answers Key** and other **useful templates** perfect for action-takers like you. 

[Worksheets on Object-Focused VerbsFREE! Printable Worksheets with Answers Key. Download now.Worksheets on Object-Focused Verbs.pdf485 KBdownload-circle](https://www.aralinworld.com/content/files/2025/04/Worksheets-on-Object-Focused-Verbs.pdf "Download")

## Reflect On Your Tagalog Journey

> After learning about object-focus verbs, how confident do you feel in forming sentences with them? What difficulties did you encounter, and how can you practice using these verbs in daily conversations?

Reply to this email or share your thoughts in the comment section down below.

### Conclusion

Object-focus verbs are crucial in Tagalog sentence construction, especially when emphasizing what is being acted upon. Mastering these verbs will help you communicate more effectively and naturally in Tagalog.

Today, you have learned a few groups of verbs under the object-focus family. You also learned which pronouns to use when it is meant to be the doer of the action. You understood that object-focus verbs are used to express passive voice and so the subject is not the doer of the action, and you have learned the various sentence structures in Tagalog language.