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Tense in Ndebele (Present Tense)
Tense in Ndebele (Present Tense)
Present tense
Ndebele language uses the short and long forms of the present tense. There are some guidelines to be laid
down as to when each form may be used. It would be difficult to work out strict rules to cover every use
of the present tense in everyday spoken Ndebele, but the following guidelines should be helpful.
b) The long form is also used when an object concord is used with the verb.
E.g uyambona umntwana na? Do you see the child?
Uyayifuna inyama na? Do you want meat?
Abafana bayawathanda amankazana- the boys like the girls
c) The long form is used for a verb of action, when the action is going on at the present time
E.g umama uyapheka lapha- Mother is cooking here
Umfana uyahamba- The boy is walking
Umfundi uyabala- The student is reading
Umnewethu uyabhala- My brother is writing
Udadewethu uyathanyela- My sister is sweeping
Abantwana bayanatha amanzi- The children are drinking water