Verb Suffix: -moH (Cause)

Attaching -moH to a verb means the subject is directly causing an action or bringing about a particular condition or result.

• tIjwI'ghom vIchenmoH – "I form a boarding party"
  (tIjwI'ghom – boarding party, chen – take shape, form)

Another way to translate the example above, though less naturally, would be "I cause a boarding party to form."

• HIQoymoH – "Let me hear (something)"
  (Qoy – hear)

A more direct translation of this would be "Cause me to hear (something)." Note, however, that this isn't a polite request—it's an explicit instruction.

Usually, translating verbs containing -moH directly with the English word "cause" creates unnatural phrasing. For instance, chenmoH is naturally translated as "he/she makes" or "creates," rather than the more awkward "he/she causes something to take shape."

Complex Constructions with -moH

More complex sentences involving both direct and indirect objects are also possible with -moH. The structure used is typically:

In this pattern, X is causing Y to perform the verb action on Z. Examples include:

• HoDvaD la' HIvmoH Sogh – "The lieutenant makes the captain attack the commander."
• targhvaD verengan SopmoH tlhIngan – "The Klingon makes the targh eat the Ferengi."

In both examples, the subject (X) causes the indirect object (Y) to carry out the action described by the verb on the direct object (Z).