The Third Conditional in Swahili grammar is often used to express past unreal or hypothetical scenarios, which are contrary to what actually happened. It’s typically formed using the past conditional verb tense ‘inge-‘ (which means ‘would have’) followed by the verb root. The Third Conditional is thus used to express regrets, or to reveal what would have happened had a certain condition been met.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank – Use the Correct Form of the Verb with ‘Inge-‘
1. “Ningependa kukuona jana, lakini nilikuwa na kazi.” If I *ningependa* (would have liked), I would have seen you yesterday, but I was busy.
2. “Angel kama ningejua hilo mapema, ningekuwa tayari.” If I *ningejua* (would have known) that earlier, I would have been ready.
3. “Yawezekana kama ungenisaidia kusoma.” It could have been possible if you *ungenisaidia* (would have helped) me to study.
4. “Wangekuwa wamefika mapema, wangekutana na mwalimu.” If they *wangekuwa* (would have been) early, they would have met the teacher.
5. “Ningekuwa na pesa, ningeenda safari.” If I *ningekuwa* (would have had) money, I would have gone on a trip.
6. “Kama ningeshinda bahati nasibu, ningekuwa tajiri.” If I *ningeshinda* (would have won) the lottery, I would have been rich.
7. “Ningekuwa na furaha kama ungenishika mkono.” I *ningekuwa* (would have been) happy if you held my hand.
8. “Ningelala mapema, ningeamka mapema.” If I *ningelala* (would have slept) early, I would have woken up early.
9. “Ningekuwa na muda, ningekusoma kitabu.” If I *ningekuwa* (would have had) time, I would have read the book.
10. “Ningependa kama wangekuja.” I *ningependa* (would have liked) it if they came.
11. “Ningekuwa na meli, ningesafiri dunia.” If I *ningekuwa* (would have had) a ship, I would have sailed the world.
12. “Ningefurahi kama ningekuwa nawe.” I *ningefurahi* (would have been) happy if I was with you.
13. “Ningemsaidia, kama ningekuwa na pesa.” I *ningemsaidia* (would have helped) him, if I had money.
14. “Ningependa kuwa na nyumba ya kifahari.” I *ningependa* (would have liked) to have a luxurious house.
15. “Wangekuwa wamechelewa, wasingefika kwa muda.” If they *wangekuwa* (would have been) late, they wouldn’t have arrived on time.
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blank – Use the Correct Form of the Verb with ‘Inge-‘
1. “Ningekuwa nimemwona, ningemjulia hali.” Had I *ningekuwa* (would have been) seen him, I would have asked him about his health.
2. “Ningelipa kama ningekuwa na pesa.” I *ningelipa* (would have paid) if I had money.
3. “Wangependa kutembelea Dar es Salaam kama wangekuwa na muda.” They *wangependa* (would have liked) to visit Dar es Salaam if they had the time.
4. “Ningekuwa na uwezo, ningelifanya.” If I *ningekuwa* (would have had) the ability, I would have done it.
5. “Tungeenda kama hali ya hewa ingekuwa nzuri.” We *tungeenda* (would have gone) if the weather was good.
6. “Ningetembea kama ningekuwa na muda.” I *ningetembea* (would have walked) if I had the time.
7. “Ningepanda mlima kama ningekuwa na nguvu.” I *ningepanda* (would have climbed) the mountain if I had the strength.
8. “Ningemsaidia kama ningekuwa tayari.” I *ningemsaidia* (would have helped) if I was ready.
9. “Tingekuwa nzuri kama ningekuwa nawe.” It *tingekuwa* (would have been) nice if I was with you.
10. “Ningekuwa na kitabu, ningekisoma.” If I *ningekuwa* (would have had) a book, I would have read it.
11. “Ningekuwa na gari, ningekuendesha.” If I *ningekuwa* (would have had) a car, I would have driven it.
12. “Wangenipa kama ningekuwa na njaa.” They *wangenipa* (would have given) me if I was hungry.
13. “Ningekuwa na furaha kama ningekuwa nawe.” I *ningekuwa* (would have been) happy if I was with you.
14. “Ningependa kuwa na chakula kama ningekuwa na njaa.” I *ningependa* (would have liked) to have food if I was hungry.
15. “Ningelala kama ningekuwa na uchovu.” I *ningelala* (would have been) sleeping if I was tired.
