The suffixes -mmu-/-num- and -numu- are a pair of adverbial suffixes (Position 6) that make a distinction that English renders as separate words are –mmu-/-num- ‘allow’ and –numu- ‘permit’. The negative meanings of these suffixes are ‘hinder’ and ‘forbid’, respectively. The suffix -mmu-/-num- carries no legal implication, whereas –numu- has legal force behind it. The suffixal form –mmu- is used after a syllable with an oral vowel, -num- is used after a nasal vowel (one that ends in /m/). Both –mmu-/-num- and –numu- trigger the Causative Construction, provided that the Causor and the Causee are different. The suffix remains in the converbal slot (Position 6). In the imperfective aspect, the one who permits (or allows, or hinders, or forbids) something is the Causor in the Nominative or Ergative Case, the one who is permitted is the Causee in the Instrumental or Animate Instrumental Case, and the thing affected is the Recipient in the Accusative or Absolutive Case. In the Perfective aspect, the one who permits (or allows, or hinders, or forbids) something is the Causor in the Nominative or Ergative Case, the one who is permitted is the Causee in the Absolutive or Accusative Case, and the thing affected is the Recipient in the Dative or Allative Case.

Le pesoneki yetelo elelipummunama.

Le pesonechi yetelo elelifungmunama.

I allow you two to eat the pieces of fruit.

Le yetelosu saso ileyosommunana.

Le yetelosu saso ileyosongmunana.

I allowed you two to eat the pieces of fruit.

Le pesoneki yetelo elelipummunamu.

Le pesonechi yetelo elelifungmunamu.

I will hinder you two from eating the pieces of fruit.

Le yetelosu saso ileyosommunanu.

Le yetelosu saso ileyosongmunanu.

I hindered you two from eating the pieces of fruit.

Le pesoneki yetelo elelipunumunama.

Le pesonechi yetelo elelifunumunama.

I permit you two to eat the pieces of fruit.

Le yetelosu saso ileyosonumunana.

Le yetelosu saso ileyosonumunana.

I permitted you two to eat the pieces of fruit.

Le ikatu saso salekesosumnumnuna.

Le ikatsu saso salekesosungnungnuna.

I allowed you to kill all of them.

Le pesoneki yetelo elelipunumunama.

Le pesonechi yetelo elelifunumunama.

I forbid two from eating the pieces of fruit.

Le yetelosu saso ileyosonumunana.

Le yetelosu saso ileyosonumunana.

I have forbidden you two from eating the pieces of fruit.

Le ikatu saso salekesosumnumununa.

Le ikatsu saso salekesosungnumununa.

I authorized you to kill all of them.

Nummunamuyam – bureaucrat

Nummunamaki – bribe

Nunumunamayam – one who can authorize

Nunumunamakim – office

Kenumunanakim – the place/project authorized

Kenumunanaki – permit (the actual form) to do something