Verbs with 'ter-' prefix

Forming verbs with ter- prefix

You already know that the prefix ter- is attached to adjectives to form the superlative form of the adjective.

Contoh:

besar          big               terbesar                biggest

kotor           dirty             terkotor                 dirtiest 

tinggi          tall/high        tertinggi                tallest/highest 

The ter- prefix can also be used to form certain types of verbs. the verbs which are formed by using the prefix ter- fit into three categories: stative verbs, accidental verbs and abilitative verbs.

1. Stative verbs with prefix ter-

The largest group of verbs with the ter- prefix are often referred to as stative verbs bacause they indicate a state or condition of the object. They are very similar to the object-focus di verbs. However, di- verbs relate to an action, whereas the ter- verbs relate to a state after the action has been completed. because they don not relate to an action, they do not relate to an action, they do not use a subject (agent of the action).

Contoh:

disediakan ...             prepared by ...           tersedia               prepared/available

diletakkan                  placed by ...               terletak                located

dijual ...                      sold by ...                   terjual                  sold

dicemari ...                 polluted by ...             tercemar             polluted 

2. Accidental verbs with prefix ter-

The ter- prefix is used to distinguish between deliberate and involuntary or accidental action.

Contoh:

• Bukunya ditinggalkan di rumah. (His book was left (deliberately) at home.)
• Bukunya tertinggal di rumah. ( His book left (unintentionally) at home.)

Accidental verbs with the prefix ter- can be used with or without subjects. When subjects are used, the word oleh (by) is always used, regardless of whether the subject is first, second or third person.

Can you understand these sentences? Translate the followings in English

Accidental verbs without subjects:

1. Jariku terluka saat memotong sayur.

2. Rumah itu terbakar tadi malam.

3. Tas saya tertinggal di sekolah.

Accidental verbs with subjects:

1. Maaf, buku Anda terbawa oleh saya.

2. Sungai itu tercemar oleh sampah.

3. Anjing itu mati tertabrak oleh mobil.

3. Abilitative verbs with prefix ter-

Abilitative verbs with prefix ter- are used to indicate that the subject (agent of the action) has the ability to perform the action. In practice, however, these verbs are often negated by either tidak or belum, indicating that the subject does not have the ability to perform the action. Abilitative ter- verbs always haves subject and always use the word oleh, again, regardless of whether the subject is first, second or third person.

Can you understand these sentences? Translate the followings in English

1. Mobil semahal itu tidak terbeli oleh saya. 

2. Masalah pencemaran sungai belum terselesaikan oleh pemerintah.

3. Aduh! Koper ini tidak terangkat oleh saya.

4. Tulisan Gino tidak terbaca olehku.

Koper ini terangkat oleh saya.

Tas ini tidak terangkat oleh saya.