Modal verbs in Swahili grammar serve a similar purpose as they do in English; they indicate necessity, possibility, request, ability, or permission. These verbs often precede the main verb and are essential in communicating effectively in Swahili. Few examples of modal verbs in Swahili are lazima (must), inaweza (can), anataka (want), and bora (better).
Exercise 1: Complete the sentence with the correct modal verb
1. Nina *anataka*(want) kula chakula.
2. Unapaswa *lazima*(must) kunisaidia.
3. Mimi *naweza*(can) kukusaidia na hilo.
4. Wao *wanapenda*(like) kucheza mpira.
5. Ana *anataka*(want) kusoma kitabu.
6. Nina *naweza*(can) kuzungumza Kiswahili.
7. Ninapaswa *lazima*(must) kumuona daktari.
8. Wao *wanapenda*(like) kuimba.
9. Anapaswa *lazima*(must) kujifunza Kiswahili.
10. Wanapaswa *lazima*(must) kufanya kazi.
11. Unaweza *naweza*(can) kunisaidia?
12. Nita *anataka*(want) kula chakula.
13. Wao *wanapenda*(like) kunywa maji.
14. Ninapaswa *lazima*(must) kusafisha nyumba.
15. Nita *anataka*(want) kwenda dukani.
2. Unapaswa *lazima*(must) kunisaidia.
3. Mimi *naweza*(can) kukusaidia na hilo.
4. Wao *wanapenda*(like) kucheza mpira.
5. Ana *anataka*(want) kusoma kitabu.
6. Nina *naweza*(can) kuzungumza Kiswahili.
7. Ninapaswa *lazima*(must) kumuona daktari.
8. Wao *wanapenda*(like) kuimba.
9. Anapaswa *lazima*(must) kujifunza Kiswahili.
10. Wanapaswa *lazima*(must) kufanya kazi.
11. Unaweza *naweza*(can) kunisaidia?
12. Nita *anataka*(want) kula chakula.
13. Wao *wanapenda*(like) kunywa maji.
14. Ninapaswa *lazima*(must) kusafisha nyumba.
15. Nita *anataka*(want) kwenda dukani.
Exercise 2: Fill in the sentence with suitable modal verb using the hint
1. Alikuwa *naweza*(can) kuandika barua.
2. Wewe *lazima*(must) kwenda shuleni.
3. Ninaweza *naweza*(can) kuandika Kiswahili.
4. Alitaka *anataka*(want) kuoga.
5. Ninaweza *naweza*(can) kuimba.
6. Ungependa *wanapenda*(like) kusafiri?
7. Wao *lazima*(must) kulala mapema.
8. Yeye *anataka*(want) kuendesha gari.
9. Mimi *wanapenda*(like) kusikiliza muziki.
10. Yeye *lazima*(must) kufanya kazi.
11. Unapenda *wanapenda*(like) mdomo?
12. Ninapaswa *lazima*(must) kwenda kazini.
13. Unataka *anataka*(want) kula chakula cha jioni?
14. Nina *naweza*(can) kuandika.
15. Nina *anataka*(want) kusoma kitabu.
2. Wewe *lazima*(must) kwenda shuleni.
3. Ninaweza *naweza*(can) kuandika Kiswahili.
4. Alitaka *anataka*(want) kuoga.
5. Ninaweza *naweza*(can) kuimba.
6. Ungependa *wanapenda*(like) kusafiri?
7. Wao *lazima*(must) kulala mapema.
8. Yeye *anataka*(want) kuendesha gari.
9. Mimi *wanapenda*(like) kusikiliza muziki.
10. Yeye *lazima*(must) kufanya kazi.
11. Unapenda *wanapenda*(like) mdomo?
12. Ninapaswa *lazima*(must) kwenda kazini.
13. Unataka *anataka*(want) kula chakula cha jioni?
14. Nina *naweza*(can) kuandika.
15. Nina *anataka*(want) kusoma kitabu.
