Chapter 3: Expressing Present Time (Part 2) / Boqonnaa 3: Yeroo Ammaa Ibsuu (Kutaa 2)
This chapter focuses on the present progressive tense. / Boqonnaan kun yeroo ammaa itti fufaa irratti xiyyeeffata.
The Present Progressive: BE + -ING
The present progressive tense describes an action that is happening right now, at the moment of speaking. / Yeroon kun gocha amma, yeroo dubbachaa jirruutti raawwatamaa jiru ibsa.
(a) I am sitting in class right now. (I am not standing.)
Ani amma daree keessa taa'aan jira. (Hin dhaabbanne).
(b) The teacher is talking. (This is happening at this moment.)
Barsiisaan dubbachaa jira. (Kun yeroo kanatti ta'aa jira).
| Form / Boca | Example / Fakkeenya |
|---|---|
| I am + -ing | I am eating. |
| She / He / It is + -ing | She is reading. |
| We / You / They are + -ing | They are playing. |
Spelling of -ING / Qubeessuu -ING
| Rule / Seera | Example / Fakkeenya |
|---|---|
| Verb ends in -e (drop the -e, add -ing) | write → writing, smile → smiling |
| One vowel + one consonant (double the consonant) | sit → sitting, run → running |
| Two vowels + one consonant (do not double) | read → reading, rain → raining |
| Two consonants (do not double) | stand → standing, push → pushing |
Simple Present vs. Present Progressive / Yeroo Ammaa Salphaa fi Present Progressive Walbira Qabuu
Simple Present: Used for habits, routines, or facts that are always true. / Amala, gocha yeroo hunda raawwatamu, ykn dhugaa yeroo hundumaaf sirrii ta'e ibsuuf fayyada.
I eat breakfast every day.
Present Progressive: Used for actions happening right now. / Gocha amma yoonaa raawwatamaa jiruuf fayyada.
I am eating breakfast right now.
Non-Action Verbs / Gochimaalee Gocha Hin Ibsine
Some verbs describe states or conditions, not actions. These verbs are usually not used in the present progressive (-ing) form. / Gochimoonni tokko tokko haalata malee gocha hin ibsan. Isaan kun yeroo baayyee present progressive (-ing) keessatti hin fayyadaman.
CORRECT: I want an apple now.
INCORRECT: I am wanting an apple now.
Common Non-Action Verbs / Gochimoota Gocha Hin Ibsine Baramoo:
want, need, like, love, hate, hear, see, smell, taste, understand, know, believe
There + BE / There + BE Fayyadamuu
Use There is and There are to say that something exists in a particular place. / There is fi There are fayyadamuun iddoo tokkotti wanti tokko akka jiru ibsuuf gargaara.
| Form / Boca | Example / Fakkeenya |
|---|---|
| There is + singular noun | There is a book on the table. |
| There are + plural noun | There are two books on the table. |