Selecting maka- vs ma- verb forms, then makapag-

Two ways of forming the same thing: I can sleep now

Makatutulog na ako. Makakatulog na ako. I can sleep now.

Focus is on the doer being able to, who before, perhaps was unable or prevented from doing.

But the other one puts the focus on the action.

Matulog na ako. I am sleeping or going to sleep now.

If either maka- or ma is accented, it means without intention.

Tense Actor Focus Object/Goal Focus

Infinitive makabasa mabasa

Past nakabasa nabasa

Present nakakabasa nababasa

nakababasa

Future makakabasa mababasa

makababasa

But wait, there's more!

While maka- is usually used with um- and ma- verbs . . . .

magkapag- is used with mag- verbs such as maglinis.

"Both the maka- and the makapag- forms mean that

the actor has the ablilty to do the action named by the verb base.

Focus Verb Actor Object/Goal

Actor Makapagdala kaya kayo ng pagkain.

He was able to bring the food.

Goal Madala mo kaya ang pagkain."

(Maybe kayo should be siya and mo should be kanya. Kaya means capable.)

Quotations and adaptations from

"Modern Tagalog, Grammatical Explanations and Exercises for Non-Native Speakers"

by Teresita V. Ramos and Resty M. Cena, p 94

Tense Actor Focus Object/Goal Focus

Infinitive linis "to clean"

Past nakapaglinis naglinis

Present nakakapaglinis naglilinis

nakapaglilinis

Future makakapaglinis maglilinis

makapaglilinis