310. Predications and similar phrases (impersonal or anaphoric) as absolute attributes, in the meaning of disjunctive attributes of time, are not uncommon: Madali-ŋ-áraw pa lámaŋ ay nàròroòn na silà. (When) it was still but dawn, they were 40already there. Makása-m-pu ŋ táwag nà ay walá pa syà. (At) the tenth call he was still not there. Makaraàn aŋ ila ŋ sandalìʾ ay sinábi nya sa susòʾ.... (When) a few moments had passed, he said to the snail.... May ápat na pu ŋ taòn na sya sa lúpa ŋ Katagalúgan ay hindí pa nya nàtutúhan ... (When) he had already been in the Tagalog country for about forty years, he had not yet learned.... Mínsan pumásuk sya sa simbáhan ay nárinig nya.... Once (when) he went to church, he heard.... 5Other examples at [26,21]. [28,11]. [66,15]. [9213].
4. Serial groups.
311. The serial relation is expressed in part explicitly by particles and in part by parataxis, parenthesis, and anacolouthic constructions.
10(1) coordinating particles.
312. The most important of the coordinating particles is at, t; as some of the others end in -t, they may be felt to contain at; cf. the similar ending in other particles, § [213]; t is used after syllabics, n, and ʾ (see Phonetics), but even here at is commoner.
15When a sentence begins with a coordinating particle, the latter gives expression to the connection with the preceding sentence (as in English sentences beginning with And ... or But ...)
313. at, t and connects words, phrases, or entire predications. 20báro t salawàl blouse and trousers (native costume), aŋ tapunàn naŋ béha at upòs the place for throwing cigarette-ends and cigar-stubs, dalawa ŋ, pù t dalawà twenty-two, kuŋ mínsan at malakì aŋ gálit naŋ amà ... sometimes, when the father’s anger was great ... (kuŋ goes with both of the members connected 25by at).
When more than two elements are connected, at is used generally between the last two: sina Pédro, Hwàn, at Andrès the group consisting of Pedro, Juan, and Andrés. isa ŋ líbo, walo ŋ daàn, walo ŋ pu t ánim 1886.
30314. at is used in a few common phrases: isà t isà everyone ibà t ibà various: aŋ maŋà taga ibà t iba ŋ báyan people from various towns; Iba t ibà aŋ kúlay naŋ kanya ŋ pananamìt. His clothes are of various colors. at ibà pà and so forth, and other; aŋ tsíko, súhaʾ, santòl, ... at iba pà the custard-apple, grape-fruit, 35santol, and so forth; aŋ maŋa háyop at iba pà ŋ árì naŋ pàmahalaàn the live stock and other belongings of the government.
315. at has occasionally a decidedly adversative tone; so, for instance, at [78,31].