Here is a quick reference guide for making sentences in the future tense form. The sentence construction varies according to the type of verb used, if the object is specific or non-specific, and the number of people doing the action. Happy reviewing!

Transitive Verbs

English	Chamoru	Object	Subjects	Verb Transformation
I will read the book. We (2) will read the book. You (3+) will read the book.	Para bai hu taitai i lepblo. Para ta taitai i lepblo. Para en taitai i lepblo.	Specific	1, 2, 3+	None
I will read a book. We (2) will read a book. I will read (something). We (2) will read (something).	Para bai hu fanaitai lepblo. Para ta fanaitai lepblo. Para bai hu fanaitai. Para ta fanaitai.	Non-Specific, Implied	1, 2	Fan- prefix
You (3+) will read a book. We (3+) will read a book. You (3+) will read (something). We (3+) will read (something).	Para en fanmanaitai lepblo. Para ta fanmanaitai lepblo. Para en fanmanaitai. Para ta fanmanaitai.	Non-Specific, Implied	3+	Fan- prefix + Man- prefix

Intransitive Verbs

English	Chamoru	Object	Subjects	Verb Transformation
I will stay. I will stay on Guam. She will stay on Guam. We (2) will stay on Guam.	Bai hu såga. Bai hu såga giya Guåhan. Para u såga giya Guåhan. Para ta såga giya Guåhan.	None	1, 2	None
We (3+) will stay. We (3+) will stay on Guam. They (3+) will stay on Guam	Para ta fañåga. Para ta fañåga giya Guåhan. Para u ma fañåga giya Guåhan.	None	3+	Fan- prefix

Notes

Object

I use the terms Specific Object and Non-Specific Object, but this is equivalent to Definite Object and Indefinite Object, which is used in the Donald Topping texts. A Specific or Definite Object includes things like “the coffee”, “this book” or “those clothes.” A Non-Specific or Indefinite Object would be “some coffee”, “a book”, “clothes” or even just “something.” Objects apply when using transitive verbs.

Sentences with intransitive verbs do not require objects to be considered complete because they just have the subject doing the action.

Number of People

This refers to the number of people who are doing the action (in other words, they are the subject of the sentence).

Verb Transformation

For transitive verbs, if we have a Specific Object (i.e.: Read the book), then we do not need to transform the verb. If we are referring to a Non-Specific object (i.e.: Read a book), the verb must be transformed. The prefixes for transitive verbs are explained below:

• Fan- prefix: For this transformation of transitive verbs, this is essentially the indefinite man- prefix, but changed to fan- for future tense. This is to make it so we can use our transitive verbs with indefinite objects.

• Man- prefix: This is the plural man- prefix, to get the verb to refer to 3 or more subjects. For transitive verbs, the plural man- prefix is used with the indefinite man- / fan- prefix.

For intransitive verbs we transform it with the fan- prefix if the subject is 3 or more people. This is the plural man- prefix, which makes the verb refer to 3 or more people. Otherwise we can just use the root form of the word.

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References

Topping, D. M., & Ogo, P. M. (1980). Spoken Chamorro with Grammatical Notes and Glossary (PALI Language Texts―Micronesia) (2nd ed.). University of Hawaii Press.

• Rules for Future Tense: pg. 106 – 107
• Future Tense Sentence Drills: pg. 109 – 112