Understanding the Past Continuous in Swahili Grammar

Past Continuous Tense in Swahili refers to actions that were ongoing in the past, at a specified or unspecified time. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of these actions. To form the past continuous tense in Swahili, we combine the subject prefix, tense marker, and verb root. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of forming and using past continuous tense in Swahili grammar, along with some examples to help illustrate the concepts.

Formation of Past Continuous Tense

The foundation of the Past Continuous tense in Swahili is built upon three components:

1. Subject Prefix: This denotes the doer of the action and agrees in class with the subject noun.
2. Tense Marker: For past continuous tense, it is ‘-li-‘.
3. Verb Root: This is the base form of the verb, without any prefixes or suffixes.

To form the past continuous tense, we combine these three components in the following order: Subject Prefix + Tense Marker + Verb Root.

Example: “Alikuwa anasoma” (He/she was reading)

In this example, “A-” is the subject prefix, “-li-” is the tense marker, and the verb root is “soma,” meaning “to read.”

Noun Classes and Subject Prefixes

Swahili grammar is known for its noun classes, which define the agreement between nouns, verbs, and other constituents in a sentence. Each noun class has a corresponding subject prefix that is used to form the past continuous tense. Some common subject prefixes are:

– M/Wa (Class 1/2): Referring to people
– M/Mi (Class 3/4): Referring to plants, trees, and some animals
– Ki/Vi (Class 7/8): Referring to objects, tools, and concepts

Examples:

M-/Wa-: Mnusi alikuwa anaandika (The writer was writing)
Ki-/Vi-: Kisu kilikuwa kinakata (The knife was cutting)

Regular and Irregular Verb Usage

Regular verbs in Swahili follow the standard structure outlined above when forming the past continuous tense. However, irregular verbs may require modifications or adjustments to the rule.

For example, the verb “kuwa” (to be) undergoes a slight change when used in the past continuous tense:

“Yeye alikuwa anaishi” (He/She was living)

Notice that the verb “kuwa” is used as a tense marker for the past continuous tense, while the verb “ishi” (to live) in its basic form is used as the main verb.

Past Continuous Tense Negation

To form the negative past continuous tense in Swahili grammar, we add ‘-ku-‘ before the tense marker and attach the negative subject prefix to the beginning of the verb.

Example: “Hawakukuwa wanasoma” (They were not reading)

In this example, “Ha-” is the negative subject prefix, “-wa-” is the subject prefix, “-ku-” is the negative past continuous tense marker, followed by the verb root “soma.”

Utilizing Past Continuous Tense in Sentences

The Past Continuous tense in Swahili is commonly used in storytelling, narration, and descriptions of past events. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action and sets the scene for other actions or events to occur.

Examples:

1. “Watoto walikuwa wanalala wakati simba alipovamia kijiji” (The children were sleeping when the lion attacked the village)
2. “Dada zangu walikuwa wanasafisha nyumba kabla ya wageni kuwasili” (My sisters were cleaning the house before the guests arrived)

By mastering the formation and usage of the Past Continuous tense in Swahili grammar, learners can significantly enhance their communication skills, providing a foundation for fluency in this beautiful and rich language.