To Do
Some sentences contain a primary verb and a secondary verb that's related to it. You'll recognize these sentences because the two verbs are attached by the word "to."
"Johnny left to go to school."
"I was invited to watch a movie."
"She will learn to drive."
Same Tense
This type of "to" can be said two different ways, depending on verb tense (past, present, or future). When the primary and secondary verbs are different tenses, you must conjugate each of them accordingly, and then link them with "nga."
"He prepared to teach." — "Naghanda siya nga magtudlo." (handa = prepare, tudlo = teach)
Here, the actor prepared in the past so he could teach in the future. Therefore, each verb was conjugated individually, and then connected with "nga."
More examples:
"They are gathering to (be able to) talk." — "Nagatipon sila nga makaistorya." (tipon = gather, istorya = talk)
"He is requesting to eat the noodles." — "Nagapangayô siya nga kaonon ang pancit." (pangayô = request, kaon = eat, pancit = noodles)
Same Tense (sa pag-)
When the two verbs are the same tense, the secondary verb is conjugated with "pag" and connected with "sa."
"Johnny left to go to school." — "Si Johnny naglakat sa pagkadto sa eskwela." (lakat = leave/walk, kadto = go, eskwela = school)
In this example, both of the verbs happened in the past, so the tense only needs to be specified once. Past tense is established on "naglakat," so the second verb (kadto) is connected with "sa pag-".
More examples:
"They started to read." — "Nagsugod sila sa pagbasa." (sugod = start, basa = read)
"We will strive to teach." — "Magtinguha kami sa pagtudlo." (tinguha = strive)
Generic vs Specific
When referring to a specific event, "nga mag" can be used. When speaking in general, "sa pag" can be used.
Generally Speaking: "I have the opportunity to dance each day."
"May oportunidad ako sa pagsaot tagsa ka adlaw." (oportunidad = opportunity, saot = dance, tagsa ka adlaw = each day)Specific Upcoming Event: "I have the opportunity to dance at the festival."
"May oportunidad ako nga magsaot sa piesta." (piesta = fiesta/festival)