The dual and plural contain a reciprocal form of the verb, as where two or more persons beat each other:
We, (dual excl.,) are beating each other Ngulliguna bumullên.
We, (pl. excl.,) are beating each other Ngeaniguna bumullên.
There is no passive. The sentence, A woman was bitten by a dog, is expressed by, A dog bit a woman.
The prohibitive or negative in all the moods, tenses, and numbers is obtained by using the word Kurria with the verb, thus: Kurria buma, beat not. Kurria bumulgiridyu, I will not beat. Another form is used where there is uncertainty, as, Wirraigurra bumulgiridyu, which expressed the meaning “I don’t think I will beat,” or, “Perhaps I will not.”
Murrung nginyadhu has the meaning of “I am well,” and may be called a substitute for our verb “to be.” By incorporating yalu with this expression, it makes it more emphatic, as, Yalu murrung nginyadhu, “Really I am well.” Any adjective describing a human attribute may be taken as a predicate, as, good, bad, strong, sleepy, and employed with the modifications of the word nginya.
Prepositions.
A number of prepositions are independent words, as: Behind, yabbungura. In front, willidya. Across, dargin. Around, waiangadha. Outside, or, on the other side, ngunningura. Inside, muguma. This side, nginnungaradha. Billaga ngunningura, the other side of the creek. On the right, bumalgala. On the left, mirrangur. Ahead, banganañ. In the rear, ngunnagangura.
Frequently the verb includes the meaning of a preposition, as in the following examples:
Ngadhu ngadyên dyirramuddyi gullegiri, I that hill go-up-will. Ngadhu dyila dyirramuddyi birrawagiri, I that hill go-down-will. Ngadhu ngidyi gigulle waiangugiri, I that tree go-round-will. Ngeani birgudyi wurungiri, We (pl. incl.) the scrub through-will-go. Ngulliguna billadyi errugiri, We (dual excl.,) the creek will-cross. Ngadhu dyirramudyi ngagungurgu gulleamurrigiri, I will climb over the hill.
Adverbs.