First Lessons in Maori

§ 75. Inverted Construction

§ 75. Inverted Construction.

—In those cases in which the relative is governed by the verb in the relative clause the construction may be inverted by making the verb passive ( § 54), with the relative as its subject, as in § 72.

Examples.
  • Te whare e hangaa na e koe, the house which is being built by you (or, the house which you are building).

  • Te kakahu e whatua na e koe, the garment which is being woven by you (or, the garment which you are weaving).

  • I nohoia ra taua wahi e Te Ratu, which place was occupied by Te Ratu (or, the place which Te Ratu occupied).