One verb, three times: Ni-, Nag-, Mo-
The same verb root takes a different prefix depending on when the action happens. Roughly - Ni- for things already done, Nag- for things in progress (now, or at the time you’re talking about), and Mo- or Mag- for things still to come.
Test it with Past or future?, and find more roots to try in the verbs word list.
01Basa: to read
Nibasa ko og listahan.
I read a list.
Ni- - already done.
Nagbasa ko og libro.
I’m reading a book. / I was reading a book.
Nag- - in the middle of it, now or back then.
I’ll read a book.
Mo- - still to come.
02Dala: to bring
Nidala ko og prutas.
I brought some fruit.
Nagdala ko og kwarta.
I’ve brought money.
Magdala ko og pagkaon.
I’ll bring food.
Mag- points forward, like Mo-.
Palihug, dala ko sa terminal sa bus.
Please take me to the bus terminal.
The bare root as a request: no prefix at all.
03Sulat: to write
Nisulat ko og libro.
I wrote a book.
Nagsulat ko karon og listahan.
I’m writing a list right now.
Karon (now) with Nag-: happening as we speak.
Mosulat ko og balak.
I’ll write a poem.
Balak is a poem. There are two on the Love page.
04Ilis: to change (clothes)
Niilis ko og sinina.
I changed my clothes.
Nag-ilis ko sa dekorasyon.
I’m changing the decorations.
Mag-ilis ko og sapatos.
I’ll change my shoes.
05Lingkod: to sit
Nilingkod ko kay kapoy akong tiil.
I sat down because my feet were tired.
Naglingkod ko sa gawas.
I’m sitting outside.
Molingkod ko didto.
I’ll sit over there.
06Ligo: to bathe - one that goes its own way
Ligo uses Na- and Ma- instead of Ni- and Mo-.
Naligo ko ganina.
I showered earlier.
Maligo ko unya.
I’ll shower later.
07Hilak: to cry
Naghilak siya karon.
She’s crying right now.
Mohilak ko kung dili hatagan og sisig.
I’ll cry if I’m not given sisig.
Kung (if) points to the future, so Mo-.
08Hatag: to give
Gihatagan ko siya og libro.
I gave him a book.
Gi-…-an looks different because the focus is on the person receiving.
Naghatag ko og tambal sa masakiton.
I’m giving medicine to the sick person.
Mohatag ko og regalo sa Pasko.
I’ll give a present at Christmas.