Level 2: Grammar Foundation › Module — Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary Verbs

Jifunze

Auxiliary verbs are helping verbs that we use with main verbs to show the time of an action. For example, 'I am eating' uses 'am' as an auxiliary verb. The formula is 'auxiliary verb + main verb'.

Vitiwa vya kuunga mkono ni vitenzi vinavyotusaidia kuonyesha wakati wa kitendo. Kwa mfano, 'Nina kula' hutumia 'nina' kama kivitio cha kuunga mkono. Fomula ni 'kivitio cha kuunga mkono + kitenzi kikuu'.

Mifano & Matamshi

I am eating ugali

Nina kula ugali

using 'am' with 'eating'

They have been playing football

Wamekuwa wakicheza mpira

using 'have been' with 'playing'

She can speak Kiswahili

Anaweza kuzungumza Kiswahili

using 'can' with 'speak'

present continuous

will

ata

future simple

was

alikuwa

past continuous

have

ana

present perfect

had

alikuwa na

past perfect

been

kuwa

present perfect continuous

being

kuwa

present continuous

were

walikuwa

past continuous

would

angelikuwa na

conditional

shall

nitakuwa na

future simple

can

anaweza

ability

Zoezi: Tamka mifano hii

Soma Zaidi

Mfano (Example) 1

My sister is studying for her exams. She has been studying for three hours. My mother will help her later.

Dada yangu anasoma kwa ajili ya mtihani wake. Amekuwa aksoma kwa masaa matatu. Mama yangu atamsaidia baadaye.

Maelezo (Detail)

In the sentence My sister is studying, is is the auxiliary verb and studying is the main verb. We use is to show that the action is happening now. Alternative: My sister was studying uses was to show the action happened in the past.

Katika sentensi Dada yangu anasoma, anasoma ni kivitio cha kuunga mkono na soma ni kitenzi kikuu. Tunatumia anasoma kuonyesha kwamba kitendo kinaendelea sasa. Chaguo jingine: Dada yangu alisoma hutumia alisoma kuonyesha kwamba kitendo kilifanyika katika zamani.

Mfano (Example) 2

Ivan will play soccer tomorrow.

Ivan atacheza soka kesho.

Maelezo (Detail)

In Ivan will play soccer tomorrow, will is the auxiliary verb. It helps play to show the future. We can also use can or must.

Katika Ivan atacheza soka kesho, will ni kitenzi kisaidizi. Kinamsaidia play kuonyesha siku zijazo. Tunaweza pia kutumia can au must.

Mfano (Example) 3

Hadija has eaten ugali.

Hadija amemla ugali.

Maelezo (Detail)

In Hadija has eaten ugali, has is the auxiliary verb. It helps eaten to show the past. Alternatives: have, is, was.

Katika Hadija amemla ugali, has ni kitenzi kisaidizi. Kinamsaidia eaten kuonyesha zamani. Mbadala: have, is, was.

Mfano (Example) 4

Peter can speak English.

Peter anaweza kuzungumza Kiingereza.

Maelezo (Detail)

In Peter can speak English, can is the auxiliary verb. It helps speak to show ability. We can also use could or may.

Katika Peter anaweza kuzungumza Kiingereza, can ni kitenzi kisaidizi. Kinamsaidia speak kuonyesha uwezo. Tunaweza pia kutumia could au may.

Mfano (Example) 5

Ruta is writing a letter.

Ruta anandika barua.

Maelezo (Detail)

In Ruta is writing a letter, is is the auxiliary verb. It helps writing to show the present continuous. Alternatives: are, am, was.

Katika Ruta anandika barua, is ni kitenzi kisaidizi. Kinamsaidia writing kuonyesha wakati wa sasa. Mbadala: are, am, was.

Maswali

Find the auxiliary verb in the sentence below: (Pata kivitio cha kuunga mkono katika sentensi ifuatayo:)

The teacher will write on the board.

Mwalimu atandika kwenye bamba.

will

Complete the sentence: 'My brother _______ playing soccer.',

Choose the correct auxiliary verb: 'I _______ eat ugali every day.',

Find the error in the sentence: 'My friend go to school every day.',

Find the auxiliary verb: The students are writing their exams.

Choose the correct auxiliary verb: Ethan ___ playing football with his friends.

Complete the sentence: Mzee Wandiba ___ eat ugali for breakfast.

Change to past continuous: Hadija ___ eating ugali at 5pm.

Choose the correct auxiliary verb: The students ___ writing their exams yesterday.

Complete the sentence: Ivan ___ play football with his friends in Mtwara.

Identify the auxiliary verbs in the sentence: The students have written their exams.

Zungumza

Sema: I am going to the market now.

Sema sentensi hii kwa sauti

Ingia ili kuhifadhi maendeleo yako.

Quiz ya Level

Present Continuous