Editing Luganda (section)

==== 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.