ABSTRACT
This chapter presents some elementary terms and illustrates the use of the basic verb and sentence patterns through practical exercises. It explains some basic vocabulary and markers of Swahili language. Most nouns in Swahili have a prefix that varies between singular and plural. The Swahili infinitive, shown by the prefix ku-, corresponds to the English simple infinitive or the gerund form, that is, to the nominal form of the verb that ends in -ing. When conjugating a verb, the prefix ku- is generally dropped and replaced with a "subject pronoun" and a tense marker. The retention of the second plural prefix wa- described in the case of wanawake preserves a two-by-two syllable pattern to the compound word, as Swahili words ideally comprise at least two syllables. In different action verbs are provided, while modal verbs are listed in. By function, modal verbs introduce other verbs, generally in infinitive form.
