The First Conditional, also known as conditional simple, is a structure used in Swahili language for situations or events which are likely or possible to happen in the future. It is created by using the word “ikiwa” (if), followed by the verb in the future tense in the ‘if’ clause, then the future tense verb again in the main clause. The particularity of the First Conditional in Swahili is the use of tense agreement: the tenses should agree in both clauses. Now let’s test your understanding with these exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks using the correct First Conditional form
1. *Ikiwa* (if) nitakula, nitakwenda shule.
2. *Nikiwa* (if I am) na pesa, nitakununulia zawadi.
3. *Ukifika* (when you arrive), nipe simu.
4. Nitaangalia mechi ikiwa nitakuwa na *muda* (time).
5. *Utakapopika* (when you cook), niambie.
6. Nitafurahi ikiwa *utakuja* (you will come) kwenye sherehe yangu.
7. Nitaogelea ikiwa nitapata *mafuriko* (floods).
8. Ntakuja mkutanoni ikiwa nitaalikwa na *wewe* (you).
9. Ikiwa utaniita, mimi nitakuja mara *moja* (one).
10. Atakula chakula chake ikiwa ataona *njaa* (hunger).
11. Tutapata ushindi ikiwa tutafanya *kazi* (work) kwa juhudi.
12. Nitakula ikiwa utanipa *pesa* (money).
13. Ikiwa atafika, *tutakwenda* (we will go) safari.
14. Nitafanya kazi nzuri ikiwa utanipa *muda* (time).
15. Ikiwa nitapata muda, nitakuletea *maandazi* (donuts).
2. *Nikiwa* (if I am) na pesa, nitakununulia zawadi.
3. *Ukifika* (when you arrive), nipe simu.
4. Nitaangalia mechi ikiwa nitakuwa na *muda* (time).
5. *Utakapopika* (when you cook), niambie.
6. Nitafurahi ikiwa *utakuja* (you will come) kwenye sherehe yangu.
7. Nitaogelea ikiwa nitapata *mafuriko* (floods).
8. Ntakuja mkutanoni ikiwa nitaalikwa na *wewe* (you).
9. Ikiwa utaniita, mimi nitakuja mara *moja* (one).
10. Atakula chakula chake ikiwa ataona *njaa* (hunger).
11. Tutapata ushindi ikiwa tutafanya *kazi* (work) kwa juhudi.
12. Nitakula ikiwa utanipa *pesa* (money).
13. Ikiwa atafika, *tutakwenda* (we will go) safari.
14. Nitafanya kazi nzuri ikiwa utanipa *muda* (time).
15. Ikiwa nitapata muda, nitakuletea *maandazi* (donuts).
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks using the correct First Conditional form
1. Ikiwa *nitapata* (I will get) pesa, nitakusaidia.
2. Nitakusaidia ikiwa *wewe* (you) utanipeleka sokoni.
3. Nitakuja ikiwa nina *muda* (time).
4. Ikiwa nitakufa, nitakuwa na *furaha* (happy).
5. Atakwenda shule ikiwa ataacha *kazi* (job).
6. Nitakula chakula hicho ikiwa kitakuwa *kitamu* (delicious).
7. Ikiwa tunacheza vizuri, tutashinda *mchezo* (game).
8. Nitakufa ikiwa *utaondoka* (you will leave).
9. Tutakula ikiwa tunapata *chakula* (food).
10. Tutamwona ikiwa *atakuja* (he will come).
11. Nitaenda nyumbani ikiwa *nitachoka* (I will get tired).
12. Tutapata A ikiwa *tutasoma* (we will study) kwa bidii.
13. Atakuja ikiwa utamwalika kwa *sherehe* (party).
14. Ikiwa nitafanya kazi, *nipate* (I receive) malipo.
15. Atakwenda sokoni ikiwa *atakuwa na pesa* (he will have money).
2. Nitakusaidia ikiwa *wewe* (you) utanipeleka sokoni.
3. Nitakuja ikiwa nina *muda* (time).
4. Ikiwa nitakufa, nitakuwa na *furaha* (happy).
5. Atakwenda shule ikiwa ataacha *kazi* (job).
6. Nitakula chakula hicho ikiwa kitakuwa *kitamu* (delicious).
7. Ikiwa tunacheza vizuri, tutashinda *mchezo* (game).
8. Nitakufa ikiwa *utaondoka* (you will leave).
9. Tutakula ikiwa tunapata *chakula* (food).
10. Tutamwona ikiwa *atakuja* (he will come).
11. Nitaenda nyumbani ikiwa *nitachoka* (I will get tired).
12. Tutapata A ikiwa *tutasoma* (we will study) kwa bidii.
13. Atakuja ikiwa utamwalika kwa *sherehe* (party).
14. Ikiwa nitafanya kazi, *nipate* (I receive) malipo.
15. Atakwenda sokoni ikiwa *atakuwa na pesa* (he will have money).
