V. Negation.
The negative of the verb is formed by the particle me or mi preceding. In the imperative it also precedes, but when emphasis is laid upon the negation mi follows. The difference between me and mi is not clear, but me appears to be used only before verbs beginning with a consonant, and mi with other verbs.
A negative participle or infinitive does not appear. For the verbal adjective the suffix -ua(ne) is used.
Ex. Na mi alele, I do not understand; nani matsine mi engatsi, I will not put on the (shell) bracelet; mi unde, do not fear; kolose mi, do not play; me ya, do not take; nenond’ an’ ua, what is not eaten.
VI. Interrogative.
The interrogative is only employed with reference to the verb itself, not to the complements. It changes with the conjugation and varies for present, past and future tense.
| Present. | Past 1. | Past 2. | Future 1. | Future 2. |
| ememoma? | emama? | emena? | emolà? | emómà? |
| umbubima? | umbibia? | umbubina? | umbubila? | umbubima? |
The present in the first conjugation keeps the reduplication of the stem, and changes the final e to -oma. The second conjugation simply adds -ma. The interrogative in the past simply changes the e of the positive indicative to a in both forms. The future is formed in the same way from the subjunctive with a stress upon the final a in the first conjugation.
Ex. Nuga malele yera? have you taken the book? uga nemb’ emama? has he killed the bird? nu aiti golà? would you start to-morrow? kupa g’ilama? are the potatoes cooked?
Note (1). The future interrogative replies to the question, “Can I...”? or “Should I...”?