Language/Ewe/Grammar/Future-Tense
Hi Ewe learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will explore the future tense in Ewe Grammar. We will also learn about some interesting facts and cultural information about the Ewe people. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to form sentences in the future tense and understand the cultural background of Ewe language. Let's get started!
Introduction[edit | edit source]
The future tense is used to talk about future events. In Ewe, the verb form used to indicate the future depends on the type of verb. There are two classes of verbs in Ewe grammar: Class A and Class B verbs.
Class A verbs include verbs that end with -wo, -to, -fo, and -mo. Class B verbs include verbs that do not end with -wo, -to, -fo, or -mo. The future tense of Class A verbs is formed by adding -di to the last syllable of the verb. The future tense of Class B verbs is formed by adding -e to the last syllable of the verb.
Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Pronouns & How to Use Be.
Class A Verbs[edit | edit source]
Let's take an example of the verb "gblɔ" (to go). Here is how it is used in the future tense:
| Ewe | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mi gblɔdi | mi ɡbloːdi | I will go |
| Wo gblɔdi | wo ɡbloːdi | You will go |
| Ee gblɔdi | eː ɡbloːdi | He/She will go |
| Mawu gblɔdi | mawu ɡbloːdi | We will go |
| Wɔ gblɔdi | wɔ ɡbloːdi | You (all) will go |
| Eŋlɔ gblɔdi | eŋlɔ ɡloːdi | They will go |
In this example, we can see that the future tense is formed by adding -di to the verb stem "gblɔ". One important thing to note is that the Ewe language does not distinguish between the future and the immediate future like some languages do. In Ewe, the future tense is used to talk about immediate future events as well.
Class B Verbs[edit | edit source]
Now let's take an example of a Class B verb "sia" (to ask). Here is how it is used in the future tense:
| Ewe | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mi sie | mi siːe | I will ask |
| Wo sie | wo siːe | You will ask |
| Ee sie | eː siːe | He/She will ask |
| Mawu sie | mawu siːe | We will ask |
| Wɔ sie | wɔ siːe | You (all) will ask |
| Eŋlɔ sie | eŋlɔ siːe | They will ask |
In this example, we can see that the future tense is formed by adding -e to the verb stem "sia". Remember that the last syllable of the verb stem is used to form the future tense of Class B verbs.
Interesting Facts[edit | edit source]
The Ewe people are a major ethnic group living in Ghana, Togo, and Benin. They are known for their rich culture, traditional practices, and vibrant music and dance. Here are some interesting facts about Ewe language and culture:
- Ewe language is a tonal language, which means that the meaning of a word can change based on the tone used to pronounce it. There are three tones in Ewe: high, mid, and low.
- Ewe music is known for its complex rhythms, harmonies, and energetic dance styles. Some popular Ewe instruments include the gankogui (double bell), axatse (gourd rattle), and kaganu (gong-gong).
- The Ewe people celebrate many festivals throughout the year, including the Hogbetsotso Festival, which commemorates the migration of the Ewe people from Notsie in present-day Togo to their current settlements in Ghana.
To learn more about Ewe grammar and culture, you can refer to the native speakers of Ewe language on Polyglot Club website. You can also ask them any questions!
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
To help you understand how to use the future tense in context, here is a dialogue between two people:
- Person 1: Mi de kple agbe me dzogbenya. (I am visiting my grandparents.)
- Person 2: Wo dekle dzi me tso. (You will come with me tomorrow.)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we learned about the future tense in Ewe grammar. We saw that the future tense of Class A verbs is formed by adding -di to the verb stem, and the future tense of Class B verbs is formed by adding -e to the verb stem. We also learned about some interesting facts and cultural information about the Ewe people. Remember to practice using the future tense in your conversations to become more fluent in the Ewe language.
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Lesson 11: Future Tense with “Going to” – EWE – Easy World Of ...
- introduction to the structure of the Ewe language and "reasonable ...
- (PDF) Aspect and modality in Ewe: A survey
Having concluded this lesson, consider checking out these related pages: Questions & Give your Opinion.