Iņupiatun Eskimo Dictionary - SIL International

Appendix 2
Verb Moods and Inflectional Suffixes
The charts on the following pages show the suffixes as they are needed for the various verb
moods. These charts also appear in Let’s Learn Eskimo and in North Slope Iñupiaq Grammar. The
user of this dictionary may consult those publications for further information.
The following summary shows only briefly how the various verb moods are used.
Indicative – 1) for statements, 2) for “yes/no” questions, usually with the enclitic –qaa
Interrogative – 1) for content questions, 2) for exclamations
Imperative: Positive – for commands (rare)
Imperative: Negative – for prohibiting an action
Imperative: Optative – for expressing a wish or hope, usually with the enclitic -tuq
Coordinative – 1) actions or states subordinate to the main (independent) verb and involve the same
subject, 2) with 2 nd person suffix, for requests, command, or suggestion
Coordinative with –pkaq/tit – actions or states subordinate to the main (independent) verb and
involve a different subject
Coordinative Positive with –(g)aluaq – to express concession (“although, event though”)
Coordinative Negative with –(g)aluaq – to express preceding action (“before”)
Conditional action realized – “when (in the past)”
Conditional action unrealized – “if (in the future)” [expressed in English with “when”]
Conditional/R[ealized] with –(g)aluaq – to express simultaneity, contemporary action (“while”)
Conditional/U[nrealized] with –(g)aluaq – to make hypothetical concession (“even if”)
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