mperative 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? emola? emoma?
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 gola?_ 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..."?

(2). The interrogative of the near past (_cf.p._ 318, 3, _b_) is
formed by substituting _-una_ for _-ua_.

Ex. _nug' em' aliluna?_ Have you just come to see the village?

(3). The form of the second future as _umbibia_ is rarely heard,
except with the verb _alili_, see, from which comes _'Aria?_ see?

(4). The negative interrogative is formed like the simple negative
by _me_ or _mi_ preceding the verb.

The questions "What should I do?" "What should I say," How should
I begin it?" are translated by the expression _do(le)... maiti_,
from _do(le)?_ where?

Ex. _dotamaiti?_ how should I say? _dol' imaiti?_ what should I
do? _do yela maiti?_ how shall I call?

VII. Substantive Verb.

1. In the present tense there is no substantive verb. The predicate and
subject are combined as in the examples already given (cf. p. 312,
2). But when the pr