The Tagalog News

The News is what is said about the POD. It is the relatively new information communicated to the listener.

In basic Tagalog sentences, the News generally comes before the POD. Examples:

News

POD

Translation

Teacher

teacher

ang babae.

the woman

The woman is a teacher.

Kumain

ate

ang babae.

the woman

The woman ate.

Kumain ng ice cream

ate ice cream

ang babae.

the woman

The woman ate ice cream.

Maganda

pretty

ang babae.

the woman

The woman is pretty.

Nasa school

in school

ang babae.

the woman

The woman is in school.

May kotse

has a car

ang babae.

the woman

The woman has a car.

News

Teacher

teacher

POD

ang babae.

the woman

Translation

The woman is a teacher.

News

Kumain

ate

POD

ang babae.

the woman

Translation

The woman ate.

News

Kumain ng ice cream

ate ice cream

POD

ang babae.

the woman

Translation

The woman ate ice cream.

News

Maganda

pretty

POD

ang babae.

the woman

Translation

The woman is pretty.

News

Nasa school

in school

POD

ang babae.

the woman

Translation

The woman is in school.

News

May kotse

has a car

POD

ang babae.

the woman

Translation

The woman has a car.

In conversation, the POD can be omitted when it has just been mentioned. For example, the question, “Who is John?” can be answered in Tagalog with—

Pinsan ni Mary.

Mary’s cousin.

While the question, “What did the dog do?” can be answered with—

Kumain. Tapos natulog.

Ate. Then slept.

Note:

1. In certain sentences, the POD comes before the News. See also: POD-first sentences (p. 373)

2. Various other terms have been used to refer to the POD and the News. See also: Appendix B: Terminology (p. 392)

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