Use and force of èfa.—As the Malagasy language has no exact equivalents for the perfect, pluperfect, and future perfect tenses, the nearest equivalents are got by using the auxiliary verb èfa (literally, done). It may be used before any tense of any voice, and conveys the idea of more or less 'completeness.'
Examples:—Èfa manaò, is doing, has begun to do and is still doing (incomplete present). Èfa nanào, was in the act of doing (incomplete imperfect); or, had done (completed perfect, pluperfect). Èfa hanaò, is just about to do, is on the point of doing (incomplete future).
Compound Future Tense.—This is formed by putting ho before a past tense; as, nanào hò nànkatỳ), 'he intended to come (or to have come) here.'
The various uses of the Infinitive Mood.
The indicative mood may be used in any voice or tense; (1) as an adjective or as a participle, especially when a noun is left to be understood; as, nỳ mànana, 'the (men); possessing,' the possessors, i.e. the rich; nỳ natào, 'the (deed) done;' nỳ hàndidìana, the (instrument, &c.) for cutting. (3) It may be used where in other languages an infinitive would be required, viz. either as a noun, usually with the article; as, nỳ mangàlatra, 'stealing,' or 'the thieves.'
(N.B.—In such cases the meaning must be made clear by the context, or else it remains doubtful):—or as dependent on another verb; as, asaìko manào, 'is bidden by me to do (it).'
