Editing Luganda (section)

== Grammar ==
Like most [[Bantu languages]], Luganda's grammar can be said to be ''noun-centric'', as most words in a sentence agree with a noun. Agreement is by [[grammatical gender|gender]] and [[grammatical number|number]] and is indicated with prefixes attached to the start of word stems.
The following parts of speech agree with nouns in class and number:
* [[adjective]]
* [[verb]] (for subject and object roles)
* [[pronoun]]
* [[Possession (linguistics)|possessive]]

===Noun classes===
NB: In the study of [[Bantu language]]s the term ''noun class'' is often used to refer to what is called [[grammatical gender|gender]] in comparative linguistics and in the study of certain other languages. Hereafter, both terms may be used.

There is some disagreement as to how to count Luganda's [[noun class]]es. Some authorities count [[Grammatical number|singular]] and [[plural]] forms as two separate noun classes, but others treat the singular-plural pairs as [[grammatical gender|gender]]s. By the former method, there are 17 classes, and by the latter there are 10 since there are two pairs of classes with identical plurals and one class with no singular-plural distinction. The latter method is consistent with the study of non-Bantu languages. Applying the method to Luganda gives ten noun classes, nine of which have separate singular and plural forms. This is the usual way to discuss Luganda but not when discussing Bantu languages, generally. In addition, Luganda has four locative classes, {{lang|lg|e}}, {{lang|lg|ku}}, {{lang|lg|mu}}, and {{lang|lg|wa}}.

The following table shows how the ten traditional classes of Luganda map onto the [[Proto-Bantu]] noun classes:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Luganda Class
! Number
! Proto-Bantu Class
|-
| rowspan=2 | I (MU-BA)
| Singular
| 1, 1a
|-
| Plural
| 2
|-
| rowspan=2 | II (MU-MI)
| Singular
| 3
|-
| Plural
| 4
|-
| rowspan=2 | III (N)
| Singular
| 9
|-
| Plural
| 10
|-
| rowspan=2 | IV (KI-BI)
| Singular
| 7
|-
| Plural
| 8
|-
| rowspan=2 | V (LI-MA)
| Singular
| 5
|-
| Plural
| 6
|-
| rowspan=2 | VI (KA-BU)
| Singular
| 12
|-
| Plural
| 14
|-
| rowspan=2 | VII (LU-N)
| Singular
| 11
|-
| Plural
| 10
|-
| rowspan=2 | VIII (GU-GA)
| Singular
| 20
|-
| Plural
| 22
|-
| rowspan=2 | IX (KU-MA)
| Singular
| 15
|-
| Plural
| 6
|-
| X (TU)
| (no distinction)
| 13
|}

As the table shows, Proto-Bantu's [[Polyplural noun class|polyplural classes]] (6 and 10) are treated as separate in this article.

As is the case with most languages, the distribution of nouns among the classes is essentially arbitrary, but there are some loose patterns:
* Class I contains mainly people, although some inanimate nouns can be found in this class: {{lang|lg|musajja}} 'man', {{lang|lg|kaawa}} 'coffee'
* Class II contains all sorts of nouns but most of the concrete nouns in Class II are long or cylindrical. Most trees fall into this class: {{lang|lg|muti}} 'tree'
* Class III also contains many different types of concepts but most animals fall into this class: {{lang|lg|embwa}} 'dog'
* Class IV contains inanimate objects and is the class used for the impersonal 'it': {{lang|lg|ekitabo}} 'book'
* Class V contains mainly (but not exclusively) large things and liquids, and can also be used to create [[augmentative]]s: {{lang|lg|ebbeere}} 'breast', {{lang|lg|lintu}} 'giant' (from {{lang|lg|muntu}} 'person')
* Class VI contains mainly small things and can be used to create diminutives, adjectival [[abstract noun]]s and (in the plural) [[Negation (linguistics)|negative]] [[verbal noun]]s and countries: {{lang|lg|kabwa}} 'puppy' (from {{lang|lg|embwa}} 'dog'), {{lang|lg|mkanafu}} 'laziness' (from {{lang|lg|munafu}} 'lazy'), {{lang|lg|bukola}} 'inaction, not to do' (from {{lang|lg|kukola}} 'to do, act'), {{lang|lg|Bungereza}} 'Britain, England' (from {{lang|lg|Mungereza}} 'British, English person')
* Class VII contains many different things including the names of most languages: {{lang|lg|Oluganda}} 'Ganda language', {{lang|lg|Oluzungu}} 'English language' (from {{lang|lg|muzungu}} 'European, white person')
* Class VIII is rarely used but can be used to create [[pejorative]] forms: {{lang|lg|gubwa}} 'mutt' (from {{lang|lg|embwa}} 'dog')
* Class IX is mainly used for [[infinitive]]s or [[affirmative (linguistics)|affirmative]] [[verbal noun]]s: {{lang|lg|kukola}} 'action, to do' (from the [[verb]] {{lang|lg|kola}} 'do, act')
* Class X, which has no singular–plural distinction, is used for mass nouns, usually in the sense of 'a drop' or 'precious little': {{lang|lg|tuzzi}} 'drop of water' (from {{lang|lg|mazzi}} 'water'), {{lang|lg|tubaka}} 'sleep'

The class that a noun belongs to can usually be determined by its prefix:
* Class I: singular {{lang|lg|(o)mu-}}, plural {{lang|lg|(a)ba-}}
* Class II: singular {{lang|lg|(o)mu-}}, plural {{lang|lg|(e)mi-}}
* Class III: singular {{lang|lg|(e)n-}}, plural {{lang|lg|(e)n-}}
* Class IV: singular {{lang|lg|(e)ki-}}, plural {{lang|lg|(e)bi-}}
* Class V: singular {{lang|lg|li-}}, {{lang|lg|eri-}}, plural {{lang|lg|(a)ma-}}
* Class VI: singular {{lang|lg|(a)ka-}}, plural {{lang|lg|(o)bu-}}
* Class VII: singular {{lang|lg|(o)lu-}}, plural {{lang|lg|(e)n-}}
* Class VIII: singular {{lang|lg|(o)gu-}}, plural {{lang|lg|(a)ga-}}
* Class IX: singular {{lang|lg|(o)ku-}}, plural {{lang|lg|(a)ma-}}
* Class X: {{lang|lg|(o)tu-}}

There are a few cases where prefixes overlap: the singulars of Classes I and II (both beginning with {{lang|lg|mu-}}); the singular of Class III and plurals of Classes III and VII (all beginning with {{lang|lg|n-}}); and the plurals of Classes V and IX (both {{lang|lg|ma-}}). Genuine ambiguity, however, is rare, since even where the noun prefixes are the same, the other prefixes are often different. For example, there can be no confusion between {{lang|lg|omuntu}} (Class I) 'person' and {{lang|lg|omuntu}} (Class II) 'seat' in the sentences {{lang|lg|Omuntu ali wano}} 'The person is here' and {{lang|lg|Omuntu guli wano}} 'The seat is here' because the verb prefixes {{lang|lg|a-}} (Class I) and {{lang|lg|gu-}} (Class II) are different, even if the noun prefixes are the same. The same is true with the singular and plural of Class III: {{lang|lg|Embwa erya}} 'The dog is eating' vs {{lang|lg|Embwa zirya}} 'The dogs are eating' (compare English ''The sheep is eating'' vs ''The sheep are eating'' where the noun is invariant but the verb distinguishes singular from plural).

In fact, the plurals of Classes III and VII, and those of Classes V and IX, are identical in all their prefixes (noun, verb, adjective ''etc.'').

Class V uses its noun prefixes somewhat differently from the other classes. The singular noun prefix, {{lang|lg|eri-}}, is often reduced to {{lang|lg|e-}} with an accompanying doubling of the stem's initial consonant. This happens when the stem begins with a single plosive, or a single nasal stop{{inconsistent|date=June 2021|reason=In the examples below of this shape, the stem begins with a semivowel.}} followed by a long vowel, a nasal stop and then a plosive (called a ''nasalised stem''). For example:
* {{lang|lg|eggi}} 'egg'; plural {{lang|lg|amagi}} (from stem {{lang|lg|gi}})
* {{lang|lg|eggwanga}} 'country'; plural {{lang|lg|amawanga}} (from nasalised stem {{lang|lg|wanga}}—the {{lang|lg|w}} becomes {{lang|lg|ggw}} when doubled)
* {{lang|lg|ejjinja}} 'cricket'; plural {{lang|lg|amayinja}} (from nasalised stem {{lang|lg|yinja}}—the {{lang|lg|y}} becomes {{lang|lg|jj}} when doubled)

Other stems use the full prefix:
* {{lang|lg|erinnya}} 'name'; plural {{lang|lg|amannya}} (from stem {{lang|lg|nnya}})
* {{lang|lg|eriiso}} 'eye'; plural {{lang|lg|amaaso}} (from stem {{lang|lg|yiso}})
* {{lang|lg|eryanda}} 'battery'; plural {{lang|lg|amanda}} (from stem {{lang|lg|anda}})

There are also some nouns that have no prefix. Their genders must simply be learnt by rote:
* Class I: {{lang|lg|ssebo}} 'gentleman, sir', {{lang|lg|nnyabo}} 'madam', {{lang|lg|Katonda}} 'god', {{lang|lg|kabaka}} 'king', {{lang|lg|kyayi}} (or '{{lang|lg|caayi}}) 'tea', {{lang|lg|kaawa}} 'coffee'
* Class III: {{lang|lg|kkapa}} 'cat', {{lang|lg|gomesi}} '[[gomesi]] (traditional East African women's formal dress)'

[[Adjective]]s, [[verb]]s, certain [[adverb]]s, the [[possessive (linguistics)|possessive]] and a few special forms of [[Grammatical conjunction|conjunctions]] are [[inflexion|inflected]] to agree with nouns in Luganda.

=== Nouns ===
Nouns are inflected for [[grammatical number|number]] and state.

Number is indicated by replacing the singular prefix with the plural prefix. For example, {{lang|lg|omusajja}} 'man', {{lang|lg|abasajja}} 'men'; {{lang|lg|ekisanirizo}} 'comb', {{lang|lg|ebisanirizo}} 'combs'. All word classes agree with nouns in number and class.

State is similar to [[grammatical case|case]] but applies to verbs and other parts of speech as well as nouns, pronouns and adjectives. There are two states in Luganda, which may be called the base state and the topic state. The base state is unmarked and the topic state is indicated by the presence of the [[Augment (Bantu languages)|initial vowel]].

The topic state is used for nouns in the following conditions:
* Subject of a sentence
* Object of an affirmative verb (other than the verb 'to be')

The base state is used for the following conditions:
* Object of a negative verb
* Object of a preposition
* Noun predicate (whether or not there is an explicit copula or verb 'to be')

=== Pronouns ===
Luganda has a closed set of pronouns.

==== Personal Pronouns ====
Luganda can have self-standing/independent personal pronouns and pronouns that are prefixed to the verb stem.

===== Self-Standing Pronouns =====
These include {{lang|lg|nze}}, {{lang|lg|ggwe}}, {{lang|lg|ye}}, {{lang|lg|ffe}}, {{lang|lg|mmwe}}, {{lang|lg|bo}}, {{lang|lg|gwo}}, {{lang|lg|gyo}}, {{lang|lg|yo}}, {{lang|lg|zo}}, {{lang|lg|kyo}}, {{lang|lg|byo}}, {{lang|lg|lyo}}, {{lang|lg|go}}, {{lang|lg|ko}}, {{lang|lg|bwo}}, {{lang|lg|lwo}}, {{lang|lg|kwo}}, {{lang|lg|two}}, {{lang|lg|wo}} and {{lang|lg|mwo}}.
*{{lang|lg|nze}} 'I,me'
*{{lang|lg|ggwe}} 'you'
*{{lang|lg|ye}} 'he/she,him/her'
*{{lang|lg|ffe}} 'we,us'
*{{lang|lg|mmwe}} 'you'
*{{lang|lg|bo}} 'they,them'

Note that the sex/gender of referents is not distinguished so one has to be very careful how one translates Luganda pronouns into languages like English. For instance ''Ye musawo'' can be translated as "She is a doctor" or as "He is a doctor".

=== Adjectives ===
As in other [[Niger–Congo languages]] (as well as most [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] and [[Afro-Asiatic languages]]), [[adjective]]s must [[Agreement (linguistics)|agree]] in [[grammatical gender|gender]] and [[grammatical number|number]] with the [[noun]] they qualify. For example:
* {{lang|lg|omuwala omulungi}} 'beautiful girl' (Class I, [[Grammatical number|singular]])
* {{lang|lg|abawala abalungi}} 'beautiful girls' (Class I, [[plural]])
* {{lang|lg|omuti omulungi}} 'beautiful tree' (Class II, singular)
* {{lang|lg|emiti emirungi}} 'beautiful trees' (Class II, plural)
* {{lang|lg|emmotoka ennungi}} 'beautiful/good car(s)' (Class V, singular/plural)
In these examples the adjective {{lang|lg|-lungi}} changes its prefix according to the gender (Class I or II) and number (singular or plural) of the noun it is qualifying (compare [[Italian language|Italian]] {{lang|it|bella ragazza}}, {{lang|it|belle ragazze}}, {{lang|it|bel ragazzo}}, {{lang|it|bei ragazzi}}). In some cases the prefix causes the initial {{lang|lg|l}} of the stem to change to {{lang|lg|n}} or {{lang|lg|r}}.

[[Attributive adjective]]s agree in state with the noun they qualify, but [[predicative adjective]]s never take the initial vowel. Similarly, the subject [[relative clause|relative]] is formed by adding the initial vowel to the verb (because a main verb is a predicate).

=== Adverbs ===
True [[adverb]]s in the [[grammar|grammatical]] sense are far rarer in Luganda than in, say, [[English language|English]], being mostly translated by other parts of speech—for example [[adjective]]s or [[grammatical particle|particles]].
When the adverb is qualifying a [[verb]], it is usually translated by an adjective, which then agrees with the [[subject (grammar)|subject]] of the verb. For example:
* {{lang|lg|Ankonjera bubi}} 'She slanders me badly'
* {{lang|lg|Bankonjera bubi}} 'They slander me badly'
Here, 'badly' is translated with the adjective {{lang|lg|-bi}} 'bad, ugly', which is [[declension|declined]] to agree with the subject.

Other concepts can be translated by invariant [[grammatical particle|particles]]. for example the intensifying [[grammatical particle|particle]] {{lang|lg|nnyo}} is attached to an adjective or verb to mean 'very', 'a lot'. For example: {{lang|lg|Lukwago anywa nnyo}} 'Lukwago drinks a lot'.

There are also two groups of true adverb in Luganda, both of which agree with the verbal subject or qualified noun (not just in [[grammatical gender|gender]] and [[grammatical number|number]] but also in [[grammatical person|person]]), but which are [[inflexion|inflected]] differently. The first group is [[Grammatical conjugation|conjugated]] in the same way as [[verb]]s and contains only a few words: {{lang|lg|tya}} 'how', {{lang|lg|ti}} 'like this', {{lang|lg|tyo}} 'like that':
* {{lang|lg|Njogera bwe nti}} 'I speak like this'
* {{lang|lg|Abasiraamu basaba bwebati}} 'Muslims pray like this'
* {{lang|lg|Enkima erya bweti}} 'The monkey eats like this'
* {{lang|lg|Enkima zirya bweziti}} 'Monkeys eat like this'
The adverb {{lang|lg|ti}} 'like this' (the last word in each of the above sentences) is conjugated as a verb to agree with the subject of the sentence in gender, number and person.

The second group takes a different set of prefixes, based on the pronouns. Adverbs in this group include {{lang|lg|-nna}} 'all' (or, with the singular, 'any'), {{lang|lg|-kka}} 'only', {{lang|lg|-mbi}}, {{lang|lg|-mbiriri}} 'both' and {{lang|lg|-nsatule}} 'all three':
* {{lang|lg|Nkola nzekka}} 'I work alone'
* {{lang|lg|Nzekka nze nkola}} 'Only I work'
* {{lang|lg|Ggwe wekka ggwe okola}} 'Only you work'
* {{lang|lg|Nze nzekka nze ndigula emmotoka}} 'Only I will buy the car'
* {{lang|lg|Ndigula mmotoka yokka}} 'I will only buy the car'
Note how, in the last two examples, the adverb {{lang|lg|-kka}} agrees with whichever [[antecedent (grammar)|antecedent]] it is qualifying — either the implicit {{lang|lg|nze}} 'I' or the explicit {{lang|lg|emmotoka}} 'the car'.

Note also, in the first two examples, how the placement of {{lang|lg|nzekka}} before or after the verb makes the difference between 'only' (when the adverb qualifies and agrees with the subject—the implicit {{lang|lg|nze}} 'I') and 'alone' (when it qualifies the verb {{lang|lg|nkola}} 'I work' but agrees with the subject).

=== Possessive ===
The [[possessive (linguistics)|possessive]] in Luganda is indicated with a different [[particle (grammar)|particle]] for each [[grammatical number|singular and plural]] [[grammatical gender|noun class]] (according to the possessed noun). An alternative way of thinking about the Luganda possessive is as a single word whose initial [[consonant cluster]] is altered to agree with the possessed noun in class and number.

Depending on the possessed noun, the possessive takes one of the following forms:
* Singular {{lang|lg|wa}}, plural {{lang|lg|ba}} (Class I)
* Singular {{lang|lg|gwa}}, plural {{lang|lg|gya}} (Class II)
* Singular {{lang|lg|ya}}, plural {{lang|lg|za}} (Class III)
* Singular {{lang|lg|kya}}, plural {{lang|lg|bya}} (Class IV)
* Singular {{lang|lg|lya}}, plural {{lang|lg|ga}} (Class V)
* Singular {{lang|lg|ka}}, plural {{lang|lg|bwa}} (Class VI)
* Singular {{lang|lg|lwa}}, plural {{lang|lg|za}} (Class VII)
* Singular {{lang|lg|gwa}}, plural {{lang|lg|ga}} (Class VIII)
* Singular {{lang|lg|kwa}}, plural {{lang|lg|ga}} (Class IX)
* {{lang|lg|Twa}} (Class X)

If the possessor is a [[personal pronoun]], the separate possessive form is not used. Instead, the following [[possessive adjective|personal possessives]] are used:
* {{lang|lg|Wange}} 'my', {{lang|lg|wo}} 'your (singular possessor)', {{lang|lg|we}} 'his, her'; {{lang|lg|waffe}} 'our', {{lang|lg|wammwe}} 'your (plural possessor)', {{lang|lg|waabwe}} 'their' (Class I, singular possessed noun)
* {{lang|lg|Bange}} 'my', {{lang|lg|bo}} 'your (singular possessor)', {{lang|lg|be}} 'his, her'; {{lang|lg|baffe}} 'our', {{lang|lg|bammwe}} 'your (plural possessor)', {{lang|lg|baabwe}} 'their' (Class I, plural possessed noun)
* {{lang|lg|Gwange}} 'my', {{lang|lg|gwo}} 'your (singular possessor)', {{lang|lg|gwe}} 'his, her'; {{lang|lg|gwaffe}} 'our', {{lang|lg|gwammwe}} 'your (plural possessor)', {{lang|lg|gwabwe}} 'their' (Class II, singular possessed noun)
* {{lang|lg|Gyange}} 'my', {{lang|lg|gyo}} 'your (singular possessor)', {{lang|lg|gye}} 'his, her'; {{lang|lg|gyaffe}} 'our', {{lang|lg|gyammwe}} 'your (plural possessor)' {{lang|lg|gyabwe}} 'their' (Class II, plural possessed noun)
* {{lang|lg|Yange}} 'my', {{lang|lg|yo}} 'your', ''etc.'' (Class III, singular possessed noun)
* ''Etc.''

There are also a few [[noun]]s that take special forms when used with a possessive:
* {{lang|lg|Kitange}} 'my father', {{lang|lg|kitaawo}} 'your (singular) father', {{lang|lg|kitaawe}} 'his/her father'

=== Verbs ===

====Subjects====
As in other [[Bantu language]]s, every [[verb]] must also [[Agreement (linguistics)|agree]] with its [[subject (grammar)|subject]] in gender and number (as opposed to number only as in Indo-European languages). For example:
* {{lang|lg|omusajja anywa}} 'the man is drinking' (Class I, singular)
* {{lang|lg|abasajja banywa}} 'the men are drinking' (Class I, plural)
* {{lang|lg|embuzi enywa}} 'the goat is drinking' (Class III, singular)
* {{lang|lg|embuzi zinywa}} 'the goats are drinking' (Class III, plural)
* {{lang|lg|akaana kanywa}} 'the baby/infant is drinking' (Class VI, singular)
* {{lang|lg|obwana bunywa}} 'the babies/infants are drinking' (Class VI, plural)
Here, the verb {{lang|lg|nywa}} changes its prefix according to the gender and number of its subject.

Note, in the third and fourth examples, how the verb agrees with the [[grammatical number|number]] of the noun even when the noun does not explicitly reflect the number distinction.

The subject prefixes for the [[personal pronoun]]s are:
* First person: singular {{lang|lg|n-}} 'I', plural {{lang|lg|tu-}} 'we'
* Second person: singular {{lang|lg|o-}} 'you (singular)', {{lang|lg|mu-}} 'you (plural)'
* Third person: singular {{lang|lg|a-}} 'he, she', {{lang|lg|ba-}} 'they (Class I)'

For [[impersonal pronoun]]s the subject prefixes are:
* Class I: singular {{lang|lg|a-}}, plural {{lang|lg|ba-}} (''i.e.'' the third person prefixes shown directly above)
* Class II: singular {{lang|lg|gu-}}, plural {{lang|lg|gi-}}
* Class III: singular {{lang|lg|e-}}, plural {{lang|lg|zi-}}
* Class IV: singular {{lang|lg|ki-}}, plural {{lang|lg|bi-}}
* Class V: singular {{lang|lg|li-}}, plural {{lang|lg|ga-}}
* Class VI: singular {{lang|lg|ka-}}, plural {{lang|lg|bu-}}
* Class VII: singular {{lang|lg|lu-}}, plural {{lang|lg|zi-}}
* Class VIII: singular {{lang|lg|gu-}}, plural {{lang|lg|ga-}}
* Class IX: singular {{lang|lg|ku-}}, plural {{lang|lg|ga-}}
* Class X: {{lang|lg|tu-}}

====Objects====
When the verb governs one or more objects, there is also an agreement between the object prefixes and the gender and number of their [[antecedent (grammar)|antecedents]]:
* {{lang|lg|m'''mu'''nywa}} 'I drink it (''e.g.'' coffee)' ({{lang|lg|kaawa}} 'coffee', Class I singular)
* {{lang|lg|n'''ga'''nywa}} 'I drink it (''e.g.'' water)' ({{lang|lg|amazzi}} 'water', Class IX plural)

As with the subject prefix, the [[Grammatical person|third person]] prefixes also agree with their antecedents in [[grammatical person|person]]. The personal object prefixes are:
* First person: singular {{lang|lg|n-}} 'me', plural {{lang|lg|tu-}} 'us'
* Second person: singular {{lang|lg|ku-}} 'you (singular)', {{lang|lg|ba-}} 'you (plural)'
* Third person: singular {{lang|lg|mu-}} 'him, her', {{lang|lg|ba-}} 'them (Class I)'

For the impersonal [[Grammatical person|third person]] the object prefixes are:
* Class I: singular {{lang|lg|mu-}}, plural {{lang|lg|ba-}} (''i.e.'' the third person prefixes shown directly above)
* Class II: singular {{lang|lg|gu-}}, plural {{lang|lg|gi-}}
* Class III: singular {{lang|lg|ta-}}, plural {{lang|lg|zi-}}
* Class IV: singular {{lang|lg|ki-}}, plural {{lang|lg|bi-}}
* Class V: singular {{lang|lg|li-}}, plural {{lang|lg|ga-}}
* Class VI: singular {{lang|lg|ka-}}, plural {{lang|lg|bu-}}
* Class VII: singular {{lang|lg|lu-}}, plural {{lang|lg|zi-}}
* Class VIII: singular {{lang|lg|gu-}}, plural {{lang|lg|ga-}}
* Class IX: singular {{lang|lg|ku-}}, plural {{lang|lg|ga-}}
* Class X: {{lang|lg|tu-}}

Note the similarity between each subject prefix and the corresponding object prefix: they are the same in all cases except Class I and the singular of Class III. Note also the correspondence between the object prefixes and the noun prefixes (see Nouns above): when every {{lang|lg|m-}} in the noun prefix is replaced by a {{lang|lg|g-}} in the object prefix, the only differences are in Classes I and III.

The [[direct object]] prefix is usually inserted directly after the subject prefix:
* {{lang|lg|nkiridde}} 'I have eaten it' ({{lang|lg|n-}} subject 'I' + {{lang|lg|ki-}} object 'it' + {{lang|lg|-ridde}} verb 'ate')

The [[indirect object]] prefix comes after the direct object:
* {{lang|lg|nkimuwadde}} 'I have given it to him' ({{lang|lg|n-}} subject 'I' + {{lang|lg|ki-}} object 'it' + {{lang|lg|mu-}} object '(to) him' + {{lang|lg|-wadde}} verb 'gave')

==== Negative ====
The negative is usually formed by prefixing {{lang|lg|te-}} or {{lang|lg|t-}} to the subject prefix, or, in the case of the first person singular, replacing the prefix with {{lang|lg|si-}}. This results in the following set of personal subject prefixes:
* First person: singular {{lang|lg|si-}} 'I', plural {{lang|lg|tetu-}} 'we'
* Second person: singular {{lang|lg|to-}} 'you (singular)', {{lang|lg|temu-}} 'you (plural)'
* Third person: singular {{lang|lg|ta-}} 'he, she', {{lang|lg|teba-}} 'they (Class I)'

The negative impersonal subject prefixes are:
* Class I: singular {{lang|lg|ta-}}, plural {{lang|lg|teba-}} (''i.e.'' the third person prefixes shown directly above)
* Class II: singular {{lang|lg|tegu-}}, plural {{lang|lg|tegi-}}
* Class III: singular {{lang|lg|te-}}, plural {{lang|lg|tezi-}}
* Class IV: singular {{lang|lg|teki-}}, plural {{lang|lg|tebi-}}
* Class V: singular {{lang|lg|teri-}}, plural {{lang|lg|tega-}}
* Class VI: singular {{lang|lg|teka-}}, plural {{lang|lg|tebu-}}
* Class VII: singular {{lang|lg|telu-}}, plural {{lang|lg|tezi-}}
* Class VIII: singular {{lang|lg|tegu-}}, plural {{lang|lg|tega-}}
* Class IX: singular {{lang|lg|teku-}}, plural {{lang|lg|tega-}}
* Class X: {{lang|lg|tetu-}}

When used with object relatives or the narrative tense (see below), the negative is formed with the prefix {{lang|lg|ta-}}, which is inserted after the subject and object affixes:
* {{lang|lg|Omuntu gwe nnalabye}} 'The person whom I saw'
* {{lang|lg|Omuntu gwe ssalabye}} 'The person whom I didn't see'

====Modified stems====
To form some tenses, a special form of the verb stem, called the 'modified form', is used. This is formed by making various changes to the final syllable of the stem, usually involving either changing the final syllable to one of the following [[suffix]]es:
* {{lang|lg|-se}}
* {{lang|lg|-sse}}
* {{lang|lg|-ze}}
* {{lang|lg|-zze}}
* {{lang|lg|-izze}}
* {{lang|lg|-ezze}}
* {{lang|lg|-nye}}
* {{lang|lg|-nyi}}
* {{lang|lg|-ye}}
* {{lang|lg|-de}}
* {{lang|lg|-dde}}

The modified form of verb stems is the only real source of irregularity in Luganda's verbal system. Monosyllabic verbs, in particular, have unpredictable modified forms:
* {{lang|lg|okuba}} 'to be' {{lang|lg|-badde}}
* {{lang|lg|okufa}} 'to die' {{lang|lg|-fudde}}
* {{lang|lg|okugaana}} 'to deny, forbid' {{lang|lg|-gaanyi}}
* {{lang|lg|okuggwa}} 'to end' (intransitive) {{lang|lg|-wedde}}
* {{lang|lg|okuggya}} 'to remove' {{lang|lg|-ggye}} or {{lang|lg|-ggyidde}}
* {{lang|lg|okuggya}} 'to cook' (intransitive) {{lang|lg|-yidde}}
* {{lang|lg|okugwa}} 'to fall' {{lang|lg|-gudde}}
* {{lang|lg|okujja}} 'to come' {{lang|lg|-zze}}
* {{lang|lg|okukka}} 'to go down, come down' {{lang|lg|-sse}}
* {{lang|lg|okukwata}} 'to catch' {{lang|lg|-kutte}}
* {{lang|lg|okulwa}} 'to delay' {{lang|lg|-ludde}}
* {{lang|lg|okulya}} 'to eat' {{lang|lg|-lidde}}
* {{lang|lg|okumanyi}} 'to find out, realise' {{lang|lg|-manyi}}
* {{lang|lg|okunywa}} 'to drink' {{lang|lg|-nywedde}}
* {{lang|lg|okuta}} 'to release' {{lang|lg|-tadde}}
* {{lang|lg|okuteeka}} 'to put' {{lang|lg|-tadde}}
* {{lang|lg|okutta}} 'to kill' {{lang|lg|-sse}}
* {{lang|lg|okutwaka}} 'to take' {{lang|lg|-tutte}}
* {{lang|lg|okutya}} 'to be afraid' {{lang|lg|-tidde}}
* {{lang|lg|okuva}} 'to come from' {{lang|lg|-vudde}}
* {{lang|lg|okuwa}} 'to give' {{lang|lg|-wadde}}
* {{lang|lg|okuyita}} 'to call' {{lang|lg|-yise}}
* {{lang|lg|okuyita}} 'to pass' {{lang|lg|-yise}}

==== Tense and mood ====
[[Tense–aspect–mood]] in Luganda is explicitly marked on the verb, as it is in most other [[Bantu language]]s.

=====Present tense=====

The [[present tense]] is formed by simply adding the subject prefixes to the stem.  The negative is formed in the same way but with the negative subject prefixes (this is the usual way of forming the negative in Luganda).
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+Examples of present tense inflection
! Inflection
! Gloss
! Negative
! Gloss
|-
| {{lang|lg|nkola}} || 'I do' || {{lang|lg|sikola}} || 'I don't do'
|-
| {{lang|lg|okola}} || 'you do' || {{lang|lg|tokola}} || 'you don't do'
|- 
| {{lang|lg|akola}} || 'he, she does' || {{lang|lg|takola}} || 'he, she doesn't do'
|- 
| {{lang|lg|tukola}} || 'we do' || {{lang|lg|tetukola}} || 'we don't do'
|-
| {{lang|lg|mukola}} || 'you (plural) do' || {{lang|lg|temukola}} || 'you (plural) don't do'
|-
| {{lang|lg|bakola}} || 'they (class I) do' || {{lang|lg|tebakola}} || 'they (class I) don't do' 
|-
| {{lang|lg|gukola}} || 'it (class II) does' || {{lang|lg|tegukola}} || 'it (class II) doesn't do' 
|-
| {{lang|lg|bikola}} || 'they (class IV) do' || {{lang|lg|tebikola}} || 'they (class IV) don't do'
|-
| {{lang|lg|zikola}} || 'they (class VII) do' || {{lang|lg|tezikola}} || 'they (class VII) don't do'
|}

The present perfect is just the subject prefix plus the modified stem:
* {{lang|lg|nkoze}} 'I have done'
* {{lang|lg|okoze}} 'you have done'
* {{lang|lg|akoze}} 'he, she has done'
* {{lang|lg|tukoze}} 'we have done'
* {{lang|lg|mukoze}} 'you (plural) have done'
* {{lang|lg|bakoze}} 'they (class I) have done'

The present perfect in Luganda is sometimes slightly weaker in its past meaning than in [[English language|English]]. It is often used with [[intransitive verb]]s with the sense of being in the state of having done something. For example, {{lang|lg|baze  azze}} means 'my husband has arrived' (using the present perfect form {{lang|lg|-zze}} of the verb {{lang|lg|jja}} 'to come'); {{lang|lg|ŋŋenze}} usually means 'I'm off' rather than 'I have gone'. But to say ''I have done'' in Muganda would usually use one of the past tenses {{lang|lg|nnakoze}} or {{lang|lg|nnakola}} 'I did' because {{lang|lg|kola}} is a transitive verb.

The present perfect is also used to show physical attitude. For example, using the verb {{lang|lg|okutuula}} 'to sit down': {{lang|lg|ntuula}} (present tense) means 'I am in the process of sitting myself down'; to say 'I'm sitting down' in the usual sense of 'I'm seated' in standard English, a [[Muganda]] would use the present perfect: {{lang|lg|ntudde}} (as in certain non-standard varieties of British English).

=====Past tenses=====
The [[hesternal past tense|near past]] is formed by inserting the prefix {{lang|lg|-a-}} before the modified form of the stem. This prefix, being a vowel, has the effect of changing the form of the subject prefixes:
* {{lang|lg|nnakoze}} 'I did'
* {{lang|lg|wakoze}} 'you did'
* {{lang|lg|yakoze}} 'he, she did'
* {{lang|lg|twakoze}} 'we did'
* {{lang|lg|mwakoze}} 'you (plural) did'
* {{lang|lg|baakoze}} 'they (class I) did'
* ...

The near past tense is used for events that have happened in the past 18 hours. The negative is formed in the usual way.

The [[prehesternal past tense|far past]] is formed with the same prefix {{lang|lg|a-}} as the near past, but using the simple form of the stem:
* {{lang|lg|nnakola}} 'I did'
* {{lang|lg|wakola}} 'you did'
* {{lang|lg|yakola}} 'he, she did'
* {{lang|lg|twakola}} 'we did'
* {{lang|lg|mwakola}} 'you (plural) did'
* {{lang|lg|baakola}} 'they (class I) did'
* ...

The far past tense is used for events that happened more than 18 hours ago, and can also be used as a weak [[pluperfect]]. This is the tense that is used in [[novel]]s and [[storytelling]].

=====Future tenses=====
The [[close future tense|near future]] is used when describing things that are going to happen within the next 18 hours. It is formed with the prefix {{lang|lg|naa-}} on the simple form of the stem:
* {{lang|lg|nnaakola}} 'I shall do'
* {{lang|lg|onookola}} 'you will do'
* {{lang|lg|anaakola}} 'he, she will do'
* {{lang|lg|tunaakola}} 'we shall do'
* {{lang|lg|munaakola}} 'you (plural) will do'
* {{lang|lg|banaakola}} 'they (class I) will do'
* {{lang|lg|eneekola}} 'they (class III) will do'
* {{lang|lg|zinaakola}} 'they (class III) will do'
* ...
In the [[Grammatical person|second person]] [[singular number|singular]] and the singular of Class III, the prefix becomes {{lang|lg|noo-}} and {{lang|lg|nee-}} in harmony with the subject prefix.

The negative form of this tense is formed by changing the final {{lang|lg|-a}} of the stem to an {{lang|lg|-e}} and using vowel-lengthened negative subject prefixes; no tense prefix is used:
* {{lang|lg|siikole}} 'I shan't do'
* {{lang|lg|tookole}} 'you won't do'
* {{lang|lg|taakole}} 'he, she won't do'
* {{lang|lg|tetuukole}} 'we shan't do'
* {{lang|lg|temuukole}} 'you (plural) won't do'
* {{lang|lg|tebaakole}} 'they (class I) won't do'
* {{lang|lg|teguukole}} 'it (class II) won't do'
* {{lang|lg|tegiikole}} 'they (class II) won't do'
* {{lang|lg|teekole}} 'he, she, it (class III) won't do'
* {{lang|lg|teziikole}} 'they (class III) won't do'
* ...

The [[remote future tense|far future]] is used for events that will take place more than 18 hours in the future. It is formed with the prefix {{lang|lg|li-}} on the simple form of the stem:
* {{lang|lg|ndikola}} 'I shall do'
* {{lang|lg|olikola}} 'you will do'
* {{lang|lg|alikola}} 'he, she will do'
* {{lang|lg|tulikola}} 'we shall do'
* {{lang|lg|mulikola}} 'you (plural) will do'
* {{lang|lg|balikola}} 'they (class I) will do'
* ...

Note how the {{lang|lg|l}} of the tense prefix becomes a {{lang|lg|d}} after the {{lang|lg|n-}} of the [[grammatical person|first person]] [[singular number|singular]] subject prefix.

=====Other=====
The [[conditional mood]] is formed with the prefix {{lang|lg|andi-}} and the modified form of the stem:
* {{lang|lg|nnandikoze}} 'I would do'
* {{lang|lg|wandikoze}} 'you would do'
* {{lang|lg|yandikoze}} 'he, she would do'
* {{lang|lg|twandikoze}} 'we would do'
* {{lang|lg|mwandikoze}} 'you (plural) would do'
* {{lang|lg|bandikoze}} 'they (class I) would do'

The [[subjunctive]] is formed by changing the final {{lang|lg|-a}} of the stem to an {{lang|lg|-e}}:
* {{lang|lg|nkole}} 'I may do'
* {{lang|lg|okole}} 'you may do'
* {{lang|lg|akole}} 'he, she may do'
* {{lang|lg|tukole}} 'we may do'
* {{lang|lg|mukole}} 'you may do'
* {{lang|lg|bakole}} 'they may do'

The negative is formed either with the [[auxiliary verb]] {{lang|lg|lema}} ('to fail') plus the [[infinitive]]:
* {{lang|lg|nneme kukola}} 'I may not do'
* {{lang|lg|oleme kukola}} 'you may not do'
* {{lang|lg|aleme kukola}} 'he, she may not do'
* {{lang|lg|tuleme kukola}} 'we may not do'
* {{lang|lg|muleme kukola}} 'you may not do'
* {{lang|lg|baleme kukola}} 'they may not do'

or using the same forms as the negative of the near future:
* {{lang|lg|siikole}} 'I may not do'
* {{lang|lg|tookole}} 'you may not do'
* {{lang|lg|taakole}} 'he, she may not do'
* {{lang|lg|tetuukole}} 'we may not do'
* {{lang|lg|temuukole}} 'you may not do'
* {{lang|lg|tebaakole}} 'they may not do'

Luganda has some special tenses not found in many other languages. The [[continuative aspect|'still' tense]] is used to say that something is still happening. It is formed with the prefix {{lang|lg|kya-}}:
* {{lang|lg|nkyakola}} 'I'm still doing'
* {{lang|lg|okyakola}} 'you're still doing'
* {{lang|lg|akyakola}} 'he, she is still doing'
* {{lang|lg|tukyakola}} 'we're still doing'
* {{lang|lg|mukyakola}} 'you're still doing'
* {{lang|lg|bakyakola}} 'they're still doing'

In the negative it means 'no longer':
* {{lang|lg|sikyakola}} 'I'm no longer doing'
* {{lang|lg|tokyakola}} 'you're no longer doing'
* {{lang|lg|takyakola}} 'he, she is no longer doing'
* {{lang|lg|tetukyakola}} 'we're no longer doing'
* {{lang|lg|temukyakola}} 'you're no longer doing'
* {{lang|lg|tebakyakola}} 'they're no longer doing'

With [[intransitive verb]]s, especially verbs of physical attitude (see Present Perfect above), the {{lang|lg|kya-}} prefix can also be used with the modified verb stem to give a sense of 'still being in a state'. For example, {{lang|lg|nkyatudde}} means 'I'm still seated'.

The [[recapitulative aspect|'so far' tense]] is used when talking about what has happened so far, with the implication that more is to come. It is formed with the prefix {{lang|lg|aaka-}}:
* {{lang|lg|nnaakakola}} 'I have so far done'
* {{lang|lg|waakakola}} 'you have so far done'
* {{lang|lg|yaakakola}} 'he, she has so far done'
* {{lang|lg|twaakakola}} 'we have so far done'
* {{lang|lg|mwaakakola}} 'you have so far done'
* {{lang|lg|baakakola}} 'they have so far done'

This tense is found only in the [[affirmative (linguistics)|affirmative]].

The [[efficative aspect|'not yet' tense]], on the other hand, is found only in the negative. It is used to talk about things that have not happened yet (but which may well happen in the future), and is formed with the prefix {{lang|lg|nna-}}:
* {{lang|lg|sinnakola}} 'I haven't yet done'
* {{lang|lg|tonnakola}} 'you haven't yet done'
* {{lang|lg|tannakola}} 'he, she hasn't yet done'
* {{lang|lg|tetunnakola}} 'we haven't yet done'
* {{lang|lg|temunnakola}} 'you haven't yet done'
* {{lang|lg|bannakola}} 'they haven't yet done'

When describing a series of events that happen (or will or did happen) sequentially, the [[narrative tense|narrative]] form is used for all but the first verb in the sentence. It is formed by the [[particle (grammar)|particle]] {{lang|lg|ne}} (or {{lang|lg|n’}} before a [[vowel]]) followed by the present tense:
* {{lang|lg|Nnagenda ne nkuba essimu}} 'I went and made a phone call'
* {{lang|lg|Ndigenda ne nkuba essimu}} 'I'll go and make a phone call'

The narrative can be used with any tense, as long as the events it describes are in immediate sequence. The negative is formed with the prefix {{lang|lg|si-}} placed immediately after the object prefixes (or after the subject prefix if no object prefixes are used):
* {{lang|lg|Saagenda era ssaakuba ssimu}} 'I didn't go and did not make a phone call'
* {{lang|lg|Sirigenda era ssirikuba ssimu}} 'I won't go and will not make a phone call'
* {{lang|lg|Ssigenze era ssikubye}} 'I haven't gone to make it yet'

Compare this with the negative construction used with the object relatives.

==== Auxiliary verbs ====
Other tenses can be formed [[periphrasis|periphrastically]], with the use of [[auxiliary verb]]s. Some of Luganda's auxiliary verbs can also be used as main verbs; some are always auxiliaries:
* {{lang|lg|okuba}} 'to be': used with an optional {{lang|lg|nga}} with another [[finite verb]] to form compound tenses
* {{lang|lg|okujja}} 'to come': forms a future tense when used with the infinitive of the main verb
* {{lang|lg|okulyoka}} or {{lang|lg|okulyokka}} (only used as an auxiliary): appears with another finite verb, usually translated 'and then' or (in the subjunctive) 'so that'
* {{lang|lg|okumala}} 'to finish': used with the infinitive to denote completed action, or with the stem of the main verb prefixed with {{lang|lg|ga-}} to mean 'whether one wants to or not'
* {{lang|lg|okutera}} (only used as an auxiliary): used with the infinitive of the main verb to mean (in the present tense) 'to tend to' or (in the near future) 'about to'
* {{lang|lg|okuva}} 'to come from': followed by the main verb in the infinitive, means 'just been'
* {{lang|lg|okulema}} 'to fail': used with the infinitive to form negatives

==== Derivational affixes ====
The meaning of a verb can be altered in an almost unlimited number of ways by means of modifications to the verb stem. There are only a handful of core derivational modifications, but these can be added to the verb stem in virtually any combination, resulting in hundreds of possible compound modifications.

The [[grammatical voice|passive]] is produced by replacing the final {{lang|lg|-a}} with {{lang|lg|-wa}} or {{lang|lg|-ibwa}}/{{lang|lg|-ebwa}}:
* {{lang|lg|okulaba}} 'to see' → {{lang|lg|okulabwa}} 'to be seen'

The [[reflexive verb|reflexive]] is created by adding the prefix {{lang|lg|e-}} to the verb stem (equivalent to replacing the {{lang|lg|oku-}} prefix of the [[infinitive]] with {{lang|lg|okwe-}}):
* {{lang|lg|okutta}} 'to kill' → {{lang|lg|okwetta}} 'to kill oneself'

Many verbs are used only in their reflexive form:
* {{lang|lg|okwebaka}} 'to sleep' (simple form *{{lang|lg|okubaka}} is not used)
* {{lang|lg|okwetaga}} 'to need' (simple form *{{lang|lg|okutaga}} is not used)

Reduplication is formed by doubling the stem, and generally adds the sense of repetition or intensity:
* {{lang|lg|okukuba}} 'to strike' → {{lang|lg|okukubaakuba}} 'to batter'

The [[applicative voice|applied]], or prepositional, modification, allows the verb to take an extra [[object (grammar)|object]] and gives it the meaning 'to do for or with (someone or something)'. It is formed with the suffix {{lang|lg|ir-}} inserted before the final {{lang|lg|-a}} of the verb:
* {{lang|lg|okukola}} 'to work' → {{lang|lg|okukolera}} 'to work for (an employer)'
* {{lang|lg|okwebaka}} 'to sleep' → {{lang|lg|okwebakira}} 'to sleep on (''e.g.'' a piece of furniture)'

Adding the applied suffix twice gives the 'augmentative applied' modification, which has an alternative applied sense, usually further removed from the original sense than the simple applied modification:
* {{lang|lg|okukola}} 'to work' → {{lang|lg|okukozesa}} 'to utilise, employ'

The [[causative]] is formed with various changes applied to the end of the verb, usually involving the final {{lang|lg|-a}} changing to {{lang|lg|-ya}}, {{lang|lg|-sa}} or {{lang|lg|-za}}. It gives a verb the sense of 'to cause to do', and can also make an [[intransitive verb]] [[transitive verb|transitive]]:
* {{lang|lg|okulaba}} 'to see' → {{lang|lg|okulabya}} 'to show' (more commonly "okulaga", a different verb, is used).
* {{lang|lg|okufuuka}} 'to become' → {{lang|lg|okufuusa}} 'to turn (something or someone) into (something else)'

Applying two causative modifications results in the 'second causative':
* {{lang|lg|okulaba}} 'to see' → {{lang|lg|okulabya}} 'to show' → {{lang|lg|okulabisa}} 'to cause to show'

The neuter modification, also known as the [[stative verb|stative]], is similar to the '-able' suffix in [[English language|English]], except that the result is a verb meaning 'to be ''x''-able' rather than an adjective meaning {{'}}''x''-able'. It is formed by inserting the suffix {{lang|lg|-ik}}/{{lang|lg|-ek}} before the verb's final {{lang|lg|-a}}:
* {{lang|lg|okukola}} 'to do' → {{lang|lg|okukoleka}} 'to be possible'
* {{lang|lg|okulya}} 'to eat' → {{lang|lg|okuliika}} 'to be edible'

The intransitive conversive modification reverses the meaning of an [[intransitive verb]] and leaves it intransitive, or reverses the meaning of a [[transitive verb]] and makes it intransitive, similar to [[English language|English's]] 'un-' prefix. It is formed with the prefix {{lang|lg|uk-}} inserted before the verb's final {{lang|lg|-a}}:
* {{lang|lg|okukyala}} 'to pay a visit' → {{lang|lg|okukyaluka}} 'to end one's visit, to depart'

The transitive conversive is similar to the intransitive conversive except that it results in a transitive verb. In other words, it reverses the meaning of an [[intransitive verb]] and makes it [[transitive verb|transitive]], or reverses the meaning of a transitive verb and leaves it transitive. It is formed with the suffix {{lang|lg|ul-}}:
* {{lang|lg|okukola}} 'to do' → {{lang|lg|okukolula}} 'to undo'
* {{lang|lg|okusimba}} 'to plant' → {{lang|lg|okusimbula}} 'to uproot'
* {{lang|lg|okukyala}} 'to pay a visit' → {{lang|lg|okukyalula}} 'to send off'

Two conversive suffixes create the augmentative conversive modification:
* {{lang|lg|okulimba}} 'to deceive' → {{lang|lg|okulimbulula}} 'to disabuse, set straight'

The [[reciprocal voice|reciprocal]] modification is formed with the suffix {{lang|lg|-na}} or {{lang|lg|-gana}} (or less commonly {{lang|lg|-ŋŋa}}):
* {{lang|lg|okulaba}} 'to see' → {{lang|lg|okulabagana}} 'to see one another'
* {{lang|lg|okutta}} 'to kill' → {{lang|lg|okuttaŋŋana}} 'to kill each other'

The [[Grammatical aspect|progressive]] is formed with the suffix {{lang|lg|-nga}}. It is used with [[finite verb]]s to give the sense of continuousness:
* {{lang|lg|ndimukuuma}} 'I'll look after him' → {{lang|lg|ndimukuumanga}} 'I'll always look after him'
* {{lang|lg|tosinda}} 'don't whinge' → {{lang|lg|tosindanga}} 'never whinge'
* {{lang|lg|tobba}}  'don't steal' → {{lang|lg|tobbanga}}  'thou shalt not steal'

This is not really a modification but a [[clitic]], so it is always applied 'after' any grammatical inflexions.

====Combinations of modifications ====
More than one modification can be made to a single stem:
* {{lang|lg|okukolulika}} 'to be undo-able (''i.e.'' reversible)' — conversive neuter: {{lang|lg|kola}} → {{lang|lg|kolula}} → {{lang|lg|kolulika}}
* {{lang|lg|okusimbuliza}} 'to transplant' — conversive applied causative: {{lang|lg|simba}} → {{lang|lg|simbula}} → {{lang|lg|simbulira}} → {{lang|lg|simbuliza}}
* {{lang|lg|okulabaalabana}} 'to look around oneself, be distracted' — reduplicative reciprocal: {{lang|lg|laba}} → {{lang|lg|labaalaba}} → {{lang|lg|labaalabana}}
* {{lang|lg|okulabaalabanya}} 'to distract' — reduplicative reciprocal causative: {{lang|lg|laba}} → {{lang|lg|labaalaba}} → {{lang|lg|labaalabana}} → {{lang|lg|labaalabanya}}
* {{lang|lg|okwebakiriza}} 'to pretend to sleep' — reflexive augmentative applied causative {{lang|lg|baka}} → {{lang|lg|ebaka}} → {{lang|lg|ebakira}} (applied) → {{lang|lg|ebakirira}} (augmentative applied) → {{lang|lg|ebakiriza}}

There are some restrictions that apply to the combinations in which these modifications can be made. For example, the 'applied' modification cannot be made to a causative stem; any causative modifications must first be removed, the applied modification made and the causative modifications then reapplied. And since the reflexive is formed with a prefix rather than a suffix, it is impossible to distinguish between, for example, reflexive causative and causative reflexive.