In Swahili grammar, the contrast between past and future is expressed through verb tenses. The past tense is typically indicated by the -li- infix, while the future tense is often marked by the -ta- infix. Both tenses follow a common pattern: subject prefix + tense marker + verb root. For example, “Nilienda” means “I went” (past tense) and “Nitaenda” means “I will go” (future tense). Mastering the use of past and future tenses in Swahili is crucial for effective communication and comprehension.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form (past or future) of the given verb
1. *Nilienda* (I went – past) dukani jana.
2. *Nitaenda* (I will go – future) shule kesho.
3. Mama *alipika* (she cooked – past) chakula jana.
4. Baba *atanunua* (he will buy – future) gazeti kesho.
5. Sisi *tulifanya* (we did – past) kazi nzuri.
6. Nyinyi *mtacheza* (you will play – future) mpira baadaye.
7. Mwalimu *alifundisha* (he taught – past) kiswahili jana.
8. Wanafunzi *watasoma* (they will read – future) vitabu kesho.
2. *Nitaenda* (I will go – future) shule kesho.
3. Mama *alipika* (she cooked – past) chakula jana.
4. Baba *atanunua* (he will buy – future) gazeti kesho.
5. Sisi *tulifanya* (we did – past) kazi nzuri.
6. Nyinyi *mtacheza* (you will play – future) mpira baadaye.
7. Mwalimu *alifundisha* (he taught – past) kiswahili jana.
8. Wanafunzi *watasoma* (they will read – future) vitabu kesho.
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with the correct form (past or future) of the given verb
1. *Nilioga* (I bathed – past) asubuhi.
2. *Nitakimbia* (I will run – future) mazoezi kesho.
3. Rafiki yangu *alitembea* (he walked – past) nyumbani jana.
4. Mtoto *atalala* (he will sleep – future) usingizi saa moja usiku.
5. Rafiki zangu *walisafiri* (they travelled – past) Mombasa jana.
6. Jirani yangu *atapika* (she will cook – future) chakula kesho.
7. Dada yangu *alicheza* (she played – past) mpira jana.
8. Kaka yangu *atasikiliza* (he will listen – future) muziki kesho.
2. *Nitakimbia* (I will run – future) mazoezi kesho.
3. Rafiki yangu *alitembea* (he walked – past) nyumbani jana.
4. Mtoto *atalala* (he will sleep – future) usingizi saa moja usiku.
5. Rafiki zangu *walisafiri* (they travelled – past) Mombasa jana.
6. Jirani yangu *atapika* (she will cook – future) chakula kesho.
7. Dada yangu *alicheza* (she played – past) mpira jana.
8. Kaka yangu *atasikiliza* (he will listen – future) muziki kesho.
