Language/Swahili-individual-language/Grammar/Dependent-Clauses
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As a Swahili language teacher with 20 years of experience, I am excited to teach you about dependent clauses in Swahili syntax. Dependent clauses are important in conveying complex ideas in Swahili and are used to add valuable information to the main clause. In this lesson, we will explore relative, adverbial, and nominal clauses.
Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Negation & Swahili Dialects.
Relative Clauses
A relative clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun in the main clause. It provides additional information about the noun, helping to specify or identify it more clearly. Relative clauses are introduced by relative pronouns or adverbs.
Relative pronouns in Swahili include "ambaye," "aye," "yule," "yako," "yao", and "yangu". They are used to refer to people, animals, or things that were previously mentioned or that will be mentioned later. When a relative pronoun is used to start a relative clause, the main clause must contain a noun or pronoun that is being modified by the relative clause.
Example:
| Swahili (individual language) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yule kijana ambaye amefaulu mtihani | yoo-leh kee-jah-nah ahm-ba-ye ah-meh-fah-oo-loo mm-tee-hah-nee | That young man who passed the test. |
In the example above, the relative pronoun "ambaye" introduces the relative clause and modifies the noun "kijana" in the main clause.
Relative adverbs in Swahili include "pale," "ambapo," and "hapa." They are used to indicate the place or time when the action in the main clause happens. When a relative adverb is used to start a relative clause, the main clause must contain a verb phrase that is being modified by the relative clause.
Example:
| Swahili (individual language) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Nilikutana na daktari pale hospitali | nee-lee-koo-tah-nah nah dahk-tah-ree pah-leh hohs-pee-tah-lee | I met the doctor at the hospital where he works. |
In the example above, the relative adverb "pale" introduces the relative clause and modifies the noun "hospitali" in the main clause.
Adverbial Clauses
An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that modifies a verb or an entire sentence. It provides additional information about the manner or reason in which an action in the main clause is performed. Adverbial clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions.
Swahili subordinating conjunctions include "kabla," "baada," and "wakati." They are used to indicate the time, conditions, or reason for the action in the main clause.
| Swahili (individual language) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Nilienda sokoni kabla ya kufunga leo | nee-lee-en-dah soh-koh-nee kah-blah yah koo-foo-nga leh-yoh | I went to the market before closing time today. |
In the example above, the subordinating conjunction "kabla" introduces the adverbial clause and modifies the verb "nilienda" in the main clause.
Nominal Clauses
A nominal clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun in the main clause. It can serve as the subject or object of the verb in the main clause or act as a complement, renaming or describing the subject. Nominal clauses are introduced by introductory words such as "kwamba" or "kwani".
Example:
| Swahili (individual language) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ninajua kwamba una rafiki yako hapa | nee-nah-joo-wah kwahm-bah oo-nah rah-fee-kee yah-koh hah-pah | I know that you have a friend here. |
In the example above, the introductory word "kwamba" introduces the nominal clause and functions as a noun in the main clause.
In conclusion, dependent clauses are important in conveying complex ideas in Swahili. Understanding relative, adverbial, and nominal clauses will help you to speak and write more accurately in Swahili. Practice these constructions and take your language skills to the next level!
- Happy learning!
Other Lessons
- Verbs
- Plurals
- Conditional Clauses
- Causative Verbs
- Slang and Colloquialisms
- Idioms
- Passive Voice
- Word Order
- 0 to A1 Course
- How to Use Be
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