Gerunds in Swahili grammar signify an ongoing action or event, similar to the usage of ‘-ing’ in English. They are usually formed by adding ‘-a’ or ‘-ika’ to the root word. It’s a crucial aspect of Swahili grammar as it is frequently used in written and spoken language.
Exercise 1: Complete the sentences by filling in the blanks with the appropriate gerunds.
1. Ninafurahi *kuona* (see) watoto wangu wakicheza.
2. *Kusafiri* (Travel) duniani kote ni ndoto yangu.
3. Mara nyingi, *kusoma* (read) vitabu kunanisaidia kupunguza msongo wa mawazo.
4. Juma anapenda *kuogelea* (swim) baharini.
5. Nadhani *kufanya* (do) matembezi katika maeneo ya kijani kunaweza kuwa nzuri.
6. Wao wana tabia ya *kulala* (sleep) sana.
7. Alafu, *kuimba* (sing) kunanifanya nisiwaze mambo mengine.
8. *Kupanda* (climb) mlima ni changamoto.
9. *Kupiga* (hit) ngoma ni furaha yangu.
10. Baba anafurahia *kuandika* (write) barua kwa marafiki zake.
11. Mimi huacha *kunywa* (drink) chai jioni.
12. Mama hupenda *kucheza* (dance) ngoma za kitamaduni.
13. Alipenda *kusafisha* (clean) vyombo.
14. Jioni, anapenda *kusikiliza* (listen) radio.
15. Aliacha *kufuma* (weave) kikapu.
2. *Kusafiri* (Travel) duniani kote ni ndoto yangu.
3. Mara nyingi, *kusoma* (read) vitabu kunanisaidia kupunguza msongo wa mawazo.
4. Juma anapenda *kuogelea* (swim) baharini.
5. Nadhani *kufanya* (do) matembezi katika maeneo ya kijani kunaweza kuwa nzuri.
6. Wao wana tabia ya *kulala* (sleep) sana.
7. Alafu, *kuimba* (sing) kunanifanya nisiwaze mambo mengine.
8. *Kupanda* (climb) mlima ni changamoto.
9. *Kupiga* (hit) ngoma ni furaha yangu.
10. Baba anafurahia *kuandika* (write) barua kwa marafiki zake.
11. Mimi huacha *kunywa* (drink) chai jioni.
12. Mama hupenda *kucheza* (dance) ngoma za kitamaduni.
13. Alipenda *kusafisha* (clean) vyombo.
14. Jioni, anapenda *kusikiliza* (listen) radio.
15. Aliacha *kufuma* (weave) kikapu.
Exercise 2: Choose the gerund that correctly completes each sentence.
1. Anapenda *kutembea* (walk) kwenye ufukwe wa bahari.
2. Msaada unaohusisha *kupeleka* (send) chakula kwa walio na njaa unahitajika.
3. Nina tabia ya *kuchora* (draw) kwenye vitabu vyangu.
4. Ni vizuri *kufuata* (follow) sheria na kanuni za shule.
5. Wao huenda *kusinzia* (doze) wakati wa madarasa.
6. Ninafurahia *kutazama* (watch) filamu za Kihindi.
7. Nampenda *kumtunza* (care) dada yangu mdogo.
8. Hawa ni wavulana wanaoishi kwa *kuuza* (sell) matunda.
9. *Kufanya* (do) mazoezi asubuhi kunaweza kukusaidia kuwa na afya nzuri.
10. *Kusaidia* (help) wengine ni jambo zuri.
11. Usiache *kusoma* (read), kuna manufaa mengi.
12. Mimi hupenda *kutafuta* (search) habari mtandaoni.
13. Yeye hufurahia *kuchukua* (take) picha.
14. *Kutengeneza* (make) chakula cha kitamaduni ni faraja yangu.
15. Tafadhali, acha *kufoka* (shout) kila wakati.
2. Msaada unaohusisha *kupeleka* (send) chakula kwa walio na njaa unahitajika.
3. Nina tabia ya *kuchora* (draw) kwenye vitabu vyangu.
4. Ni vizuri *kufuata* (follow) sheria na kanuni za shule.
5. Wao huenda *kusinzia* (doze) wakati wa madarasa.
6. Ninafurahia *kutazama* (watch) filamu za Kihindi.
7. Nampenda *kumtunza* (care) dada yangu mdogo.
8. Hawa ni wavulana wanaoishi kwa *kuuza* (sell) matunda.
9. *Kufanya* (do) mazoezi asubuhi kunaweza kukusaidia kuwa na afya nzuri.
10. *Kusaidia* (help) wengine ni jambo zuri.
11. Usiache *kusoma* (read), kuna manufaa mengi.
12. Mimi hupenda *kutafuta* (search) habari mtandaoni.
13. Yeye hufurahia *kuchukua* (take) picha.
14. *Kutengeneza* (make) chakula cha kitamaduni ni faraja yangu.
15. Tafadhali, acha *kufoka* (shout) kila wakati.
