Compound sentences, in Swahili grammar, are created by connecting two or more simple sentences which could stand alone as complete sentences. They usually include a linking conjunction such as “na” (and), “lakini” (but), “ama” (or), and “kwa sababu” (because) among others. These conjunctions play a key role in forming complex ideas and enhancing coherence in Swahili texts. Through the following exercises, learners get a chance to practice constructing compound sentences in Swahili.
Exercise 1: Fill in the missing conjunctions in the following Swahili compound sentences.
1. Nilipika ugali *na* (and) nyama jana.
2. Nisaidie kusoma *ama* (or) nitaanguka mtihani.
3. Alipanda mlima *lakini* (but) akashindwa kufika kileleni.
4. Alitumwa dukani *na* (and) akaenda.
5. Alinunua nyumba *lakini* (but) hajalipa karo ya mtoto.
6. Alienda kucheza mpira *na* (and) akashinda.
7. Anataka kuogelea *lakini* (but) hajui.
8. Nakula *kwa sababu* (because) nina njaa.
9. Yeye anataka kusoma *ama* (or) kucheza.
10. Wao wanakwenda shuleni *na* (and) wanafunzi wengine.
11. Alipanda mti *lakini* (but) haukumea.
12. Nitakwenda sokoni *kwa sababu* (because) ninataka kununua matunda.
13. Anakula kuku *ama* (or) samaki.
14. Anakimbia mazoezi *na* (and) mimi pia.
15. Wewe unataka kucheza *lakini* (but) mimi nataka kusoma.
2. Nisaidie kusoma *ama* (or) nitaanguka mtihani.
3. Alipanda mlima *lakini* (but) akashindwa kufika kileleni.
4. Alitumwa dukani *na* (and) akaenda.
5. Alinunua nyumba *lakini* (but) hajalipa karo ya mtoto.
6. Alienda kucheza mpira *na* (and) akashinda.
7. Anataka kuogelea *lakini* (but) hajui.
8. Nakula *kwa sababu* (because) nina njaa.
9. Yeye anataka kusoma *ama* (or) kucheza.
10. Wao wanakwenda shuleni *na* (and) wanafunzi wengine.
11. Alipanda mti *lakini* (but) haukumea.
12. Nitakwenda sokoni *kwa sababu* (because) ninataka kununua matunda.
13. Anakula kuku *ama* (or) samaki.
14. Anakimbia mazoezi *na* (and) mimi pia.
15. Wewe unataka kucheza *lakini* (but) mimi nataka kusoma.
Exercise 2: Complete these sentences with the appropriate conjunctions in Swahili.
1. Alinunua ndizi *na* (and) machungwa.
2. Ninapenda kuimba *lakini* (but) sipendi kucheza.
3. Niambie ukweli *ama* (or) nitaenda.
4. Alisema atakuja *na* (and) hakuja.
5. Anakumbuka *lakini* (but) hasemi chochote.
6. Alikuwepo kwenye mkutano *na* (and) hayupo.
7. Nilikula chapati *lakini* (but) sikula samaki.
8. Alikuwa anacheka *na* (and) ghafla akaanza kulia.
9. Ni jua *ama* (or) mvua?
10. Nilidhani unajua Kiswahili *lakini* (but) hujui.
11. Ana mzigo *na* (and) anahitaji msaada.
12. Waliuliza maswali *na* (and) wakapata majibu.
13. Nisaidie kumwambia *ama* (or) nitamwambia mwenyewe.
14. Hujaenda sokoni *na* (and) unaenda kesho.
15. Nadhani hujui *lakini* (but) utajua.
2. Ninapenda kuimba *lakini* (but) sipendi kucheza.
3. Niambie ukweli *ama* (or) nitaenda.
4. Alisema atakuja *na* (and) hakuja.
5. Anakumbuka *lakini* (but) hasemi chochote.
6. Alikuwepo kwenye mkutano *na* (and) hayupo.
7. Nilikula chapati *lakini* (but) sikula samaki.
8. Alikuwa anacheka *na* (and) ghafla akaanza kulia.
9. Ni jua *ama* (or) mvua?
10. Nilidhani unajua Kiswahili *lakini* (but) hujui.
11. Ana mzigo *na* (and) anahitaji msaada.
12. Waliuliza maswali *na* (and) wakapata majibu.
13. Nisaidie kumwambia *ama* (or) nitamwambia mwenyewe.
14. Hujaenda sokoni *na* (and) unaenda kesho.
15. Nadhani hujui *lakini* (but) utajua.
