Language/Xhosa/Grammar/Future-Tense

◀️ Past Tense — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Family Members ▶️

Xhosa → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Future Tense

In this lesson, we will explore the future tense in Xhosa, an essential part of mastering the language. Understanding how to communicate about future events is crucial, whether you're planning a trip, discussing upcoming activities, or making predictions. The future tense allows you to express your intentions and expectations with clarity.

We'll begin by examining how to conjugate verbs in the future tense, followed by practical examples that illustrate these concepts in action. Finally, we'll put your new skills to the test with exercises designed to reinforce your understanding.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently use the future tense in various contexts, enhancing your ability to communicate in Xhosa.

Introduction to Future Tense

The future tense in Xhosa is used to indicate actions that will happen later. This tense is formed by modifying the verb and often involves the use of specific prefixes. Learning how to use the future tense opens up a whole new world of expression, allowing you to talk about your plans and aspirations.

Basic Structure of Future Tense

The future tense is typically formed by adding the prefix "yi-" or "za-" to the verb root depending on the subject.

== Subject Pronouns and Future Tense Prefixes

| Subject Pronoun | Prefix |

|------------------|--------|

| I | ndi- |

| You (singular) | u- |

| He/She | u- |

| We | si- |

| You (plural) | ni- |

| They | ba- |

== Verb Conjugation Examples

Now, let's look at how these prefixes work with some common verbs in the future tense.

Xhosa	Pronunciation	English
Ndiza kuphumelela	ndiza ku-phe-mu-lela	I will succeed
Uzokwenza	uzo-kwe-nza	You will do
Uzakukhetha	uzaku-khe-tha	He/She will choose
Sizokudla	si-zo-kdu-la	We will eat
Nizokhumbula	ni-zo-khum-bu-la	You (plural) will remember
Bazokwenza	ba-zo-kwe-nza	They will do

Conjugating Regular Verbs in Future Tense

To conjugate regular verbs in the future tense, follow this simple formula:

• Identify the root of the verb.

• Add the appropriate prefix based on the subject pronoun.

For example:

• Verb: Funda (to read)

• Ndiza kufunda (I will read)

• Uzofunda (You will read)

• Bazofunda (They will read)

Conjugating Irregular Verbs in Future Tense

Some verbs may have irregular forms. It’s essential to memorize these as they don't follow the standard conjugation rules.

| Irregular Verb | Future Tense Example |

|----------------|-------------------------|

| Thanda (to love) | Ndizothanda (I will love) |

| Bamba (to catch) | Ndizobamba (I will catch) |

Usage of Future Tense in Sentences

The future tense is not just about the action itself; it can also convey certainty, uncertainty, and intention. Here are some examples of how you can use the future tense in sentences:

Xhosa	Pronunciation	English
Ndiza kuhamba namhlanje.	ndiza ku-ham-ba nam-hlan-je	I will leave today.
Uzokhuluma nathi.	uzo-khu-lu-ma na-thi	You will talk to us.
Sizofika ngexesha.	si-zo-fi-ka ng-exa	We will arrive on time.
Bazokuphosa ibhola.	ba-zo-ku-pho-sa i-bho-la	They will throw the ball.

Practice Exercises

Now that you’ve learned the basics of the future tense, it’s time to practice! Below are some exercises to help you solidify your understanding.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in future tense.

1. Ndiza __________ (ukuthanda) umculo.

2. Uzokwenza __________ (ukudlala) umoya.

3. Sizofika __________ (ukuhamba) emva kwemini.

4. Bazokhumbula __________ (ukufunda) le nto.

5. Nizokuthanda __________ (ukuthanda) isidlo.

Solutions:

1. Ndiza kuthanda umculo. (I will love music.)

2. Uzokwenza ukudlala umoya. (You will do the dance.)

3. Sizofika emva kwemini. (We will arrive after noon.)

4. Bazokhumbula ukufunda le nto. (They will remember to read this.)

5. Nizokuthanda isidlo. (You (plural) will love the food.)

Exercise 2: Conjugate the Verbs

Change the following verbs into future tense based on the subjects provided.

1. (I) - Funda (to read)

2. (They) - Bamba (to catch)

3. (You, singular) - Hamba (to leave)

4. (We) - Phosa (to throw)

5. (He/She) - Thanda (to love)

Solutions:

1. Ndiza kufunda (I will read)

2. Bazobamba (They will catch)

3. Uzohamba (You will leave)

4. Sizophosa (We will throw)

5. Uzozothanda (He/She will love)

Exercise 3: Translate the Sentences

Translate the following sentences into Xhosa using the future tense.

1. I will eat food.

2. You will speak to me.

3. They will go to the store.

4. We will play soccer.

5. She will love her family.

Solutions:

1. Ndiza kudla ukudla.

2. Uzokhuluma nam.

3. Bazoya esitolo.

4. Sizodlala ibhola.

5. Uzozothanda umndeni wakhe.

Exercise 4: Create Your Sentences

Write your sentences in Xhosa using the future tense for each of the following subjects:

1. I

2. You (plural)

3. We

4. They

5. He/She

Example Solutions:

1. Ndiza kuphumelela.

2. Nizokwenza.

3. Sizofunda.

4. Bazokuthanda.

5. Uzakuphosa.

Exercise 5: Verb Matching

Match the verb with the correct future tense form.

| Verb (English) | Xhosa Future Tense |

|----------------|---------------------|

| To run | A. Ndizokhumbula |

| To remember | B. Sizokhamba |

| To catch | C. Uzozothanda |

| To love | D. Bazobamba |

Solutions:

• To run - B. Sizokhamba

• To remember - A. Ndizokhumbula

• To catch - D. Bazobamba

• To love - C. Uzozothanda

Exercise 6: Error Correction

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.

1. Ndizokhamba nemidlalo. (I will leave the game.)

2. Sizovula ibhuku. (We will open the book.)

3. Uzokuthanda izifundo. (You will love the subjects.)

4. Bazokudlala ibhola. (They will play the ball.)

5. Uzozokwenza. (He/She will do.)

Solutions:

1. Ndizokhamba nemidlalo. (Correct, but can be rephrased to "I will leave for the game.")

2. Sizovula ibhuku. (Correct)

3. Uzokuthanda izifundo. (Correct)

4. Bazokudlala ibhola. (Correct)

5. Uzozokwenza. (Correct, but should be rephrased to "He/She will do it.")

Exercise 7: Dialogues

Create a short dialogue using the future tense between two friends discussing their weekend plans.

Example:

• Friend 1: Ndiza kuhamba namhlanje. (I will leave today.)

• Friend 2: Uyazokwenza ntoni? (What will you do?)

Solutions:

Students should write their dialogues based on the future tense.

Exercise 8: True or False

Determine if the following statements about the future tense are true or false.

1. The future tense is formed by adding a suffix.

2. "Ndiza" means "I will".

3. "Bazokwenza" means "They will do".

4. The subject pronoun determines the prefix used.

5. Future tense cannot express intentions.

Solutions:

1. False

2. True

3. True

4. True

5. False

Exercise 9: Scenario Creation

Imagine you are planning a picnic. Write three sentences in Xhosa using the future tense about what you plan to do.

Example Solutions:

1. Ndiza kuphosa ibhola. (I will throw the ball.)

2. Sizodla iziqhamo. (We will eat fruits.)

3. Bazokuhamba. (They will walk.)

Exercise 10: Group Discussion

In pairs, discuss your future plans using the future tense. Each student should ask and answer questions about what they will do next week.

Solutions:

Students should engage in a conversation using the future tense, practicing their speaking skills.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've successfully learned how to use the future tense in Xhosa. You can now express your plans, intentions, and predictions with ease. Remember, practice makes perfect. Keep using these structures in your daily conversations, and soon, you’ll be speaking confidently in the future tense!

Table of Contents - Xhosa Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Xhosa

• Pronunciation and Alphabet
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Formal and Informal Greetings
• Common Courtesy Phrases

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Classes
• Pronouns and Agreement

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-10
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationship Status

  ---

Questions and Negation

• Forming Questions
• Negation

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Eating and Drinking

  ---

Xhosa Culture and Traditions

• Xhosa People and History
• Traditional Customs and Celebrations

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Phrases

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Agreement
• Adverbs

  ---

Weather and Seasons

• Weather Vocabulary
• Seasons

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

Hobbies and Interests

• Sports and Activities
• Arts and Entertainment

  ---

Xhosa Music and Literature

• Traditional Music and Instruments
• Xhosa Literature and Poetry

Sources

• Xhosa Grammar - Future Tense
• Future Tenses in Xhosa
• Tense, Aspect and Modality in Xhosa

Other Lessons

• Conditional Mood
• Questions
• Negation
• Adjectives
• Pronouns
• How to Use Have
• Give your Opinion
• Plurals

◀️ Past Tense — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Family Members ▶️