As with TI verbs, a special inflection, called a thematic suffixThematic suffixes are special inflections found in the conjugation of transitive verbs, i.e. VTI and VTA. in Algonquian linguistics, is usually added to the base form of a TA stem before person and tense endings are added. In the case of TA verbs, thematic suffixes apply to the sub-classes of local, mixed, non-local, direct, and inverse forms.

The structure of a TA verb conjugated in the Independent order (where it can take person prefixes) is therefore as follows:

person prefix + TA stem + thematic suffix + person and tense endings

The subclass local, direct is unmarkedIn linguistics, we often contrast forms referred to as unmarked, which can be described as the most basic – almost “default” – forms, with marked forms; marked forms have some characteristic that separates them from the “norm”, indicated by a particular marking. For example, in English, a singular noun is an unmarked form, while its equivalent plural is a marked form, which takes a plural marker. In the case of TA verbs, direct local forms are unmarked; they conform to the hierarchy of persons and do not take a thematic suffix. All other verb forms are marked, taking a thematic suffix.: the subject corresponds to a person who is higher in the person hierarchy than the complement, and the prefix reflects the subject. Local direct forms do not take a thematic suffix. All other TA subclasses require a thematic suffix, at least in the Independent, because in the Conjunct, only inverse local forms and mixed forms with an obviative object have a thematic suffix. Note that there are no personal prefixes in the Conjunct or Imperative.

Example Formations of TA Verbs
tshi + uapam + (i)t + (i)nan = tshuapamitinan we see you
ni + uapam + a + nan = nuapamanan we see him/her
ni + uapam + a + u = nuapamau I see him/her
ni + uapam + iku + nan = nuapamikunan s/he sees us
ni + uapam + im + a + nan + a = nuapamimanana we see him/her (obv, e.g. her/his brother)
ni + uapam + im + iku + nan + a = nuapamikunana s/he (obv, e.g. her/his brother) sees us
ni + uapam + e + u = uapameu s/he sees him/her (obv)

 

VTA thematic suffixes in the Independent Order:

(i)t Local Inverse forms (also in the Conjunct)
a Mixed Direct forms (in the Independent only)
Mixed Direct forms, with possessed complements (e.g. her/his brother), in combination with -im-: PREFIX + STEM + im + a + INFLECTIONS
e Non-Local Direct forms (in the Independent only)
iku Mixed Inverse forms (in the Independent only)
can be combined with –im
im Possessive Marker: Indicates that the object (or the subject of the verb for the Western dialectIn the Eastern dialect, the thematic suffix –iku– cannot be combined with –im-. Example: [his/her brother] hears me: West nipetumiku, East nipetakunua.) is possessed (e.g. her brother, his child, her caribou)
in Direct forms, the Possessive Marker, which indicates that the complement is possessed, combines with the thematic suffixes of mixed (-a-) and non-local (-e-) forms: tshi+petu+im+a+u+a = tshipetumaua you hear him/her [obv, e.g. her/his brother]
In the Western dialect, this thematic suffix can be combined with the inverse thematic suffix –iku, which is not possible in the Eastern dialect
when the Possessive Marker is combined with another TA thematic suffix, it comes first in the order of suffixes