Chapter 2: Expressing Present Time (Part 1) / Boqonnaa 2: Yeroo Ammaa Ibsuu (Kutaa 1)
This chapter focuses on the simple present tense. / Boqonnaan kun yeroo ammaa salphaa irratti xiyyeeffata.
Form and Basic Meaning of the Simple Present Tense / Bocaaf Hiika Bu'uuraa Yeroo Ammaa Salphaa
The simple present tense expresses habits or usual activities. It describes actions that happen regularly. / Yeroon ammaa salphaan amala ykn gochoota yeroo hunda raawwataman ibsa. Gochoota yeroo yeroon raawwataman ibsa.
(a) I eat breakfast every morning.
(b) Ann speaks English every day.
(c) We sleep every night.
| Singular / Kallattama | Plural / Danuummee |
|---|---|
| I talk | we talk |
| you talk | you talk |
| she/he/it talks | they talk |
Note: The verb after she, he, it (3rd person singular) has a final -s. / Hubachiisa: Gochimni she, he, it (nama 3ffaa kallattama) booda dhufu, dhuma irratti -s qabaata.
Using Frequency Adverbs / Ibsituuwwan Yeroo Fayyadamuu
Frequency adverbs like always, usually, often, sometimes, seldom, rarely, never describe how often an action occurs. They usually come between the subject and the simple present verb. / Ibsituuwwan yeroo kan akka always, usually, often, sometimes, seldom, rarely, never si'a meeqa gochi tokko akka raawwatamu ibsu. Yeroo baayyee matimaafi gochima yeroo ammaa salphaa gidduu galu.
(a) Bob always comes to class.
(b) Mary usually comes to class.
However, frequency adverbs come after the verb be (am, is, are). / Haa ta'u malee, ibsituuwwan yeroo gochima be (am, is, are) booda dhufu.
(c) Sue is always late for class.
(d) Ron is never happy.
Spelling and Pronunciation of -S/-ES / Qubeessuu fi Sagaleessuu -S/-ES
Final -S pronunciation / Sagaleessuu -S Dhumaa
- Final -s is pronounced /z/ after voiced sounds (b, d, g, l, m, n, r, v, vowels). Example: rubs, rides. / -s dhumaa sagalee /z/tti sagaleeffama, sagaleewwan laafaa (b, d, g, l, m, n, r, v, dubbachiiftuuwwan) booda yoo dhufe.
- Final -s is pronounced /s/ after voiceless sounds (p, t, k, f). Example: sleeps, writes. / -s dhumaa sagalee /s/tti sagaleeffama, sagaleewwan jajjaboo (p, t, k, f) booda yoo dhufe.
Spelling: Verbs ending in -sh, -ch, -ss, -x / Qubeessuu: Gochimoota -sh, -ch, -ss, -x irratti xumuraman
Add -es. Pronounced as /əz/. Example: pushes, teaches, kisses, fixes. / -es dabali. Sagaleen isaa /əz/ ta'a.
Spelling: Verbs ending in -y / Qubeessuu: Gochimoota -y irratti xumuraman
- If a verb ends in a consonant + y, change 'y' to 'i' and add -es. Example: study → studies, cry → cries. / Gochima dubbachiiftuu dhabduu + y irratti yoo xumurame, 'y' gara 'i'tti jijjiiriitii -es dabali.
- If a verb ends in a vowel + y, add -s. Example: pay → pays, enjoy → enjoys. / Gochima dubbachiiftuu + y irratti yoo xumurame, -s qofa dabali.
Irregular Singular Verbs / Gochimoota Kallattamaa Idilee Hin Taane
Some common verbs have irregular forms for the 3rd person singular: / Gochimoonni tokko tokko nama 3ffaa kallattamaatiif boca idilee hin taane qabu:
have → has, do → does, go → goes.
The Simple Present: Negative / Yeroo Ammaa Salphaa: Didaa
Use do not (don't) or does not (doesn't) with the simple form of the verb to make a negative sentence. / Hima didaa ijaaruuf, do not (don't) ykn does not (doesn't) gochima bu'uuraa waliin fayyadami.
(a) I do not drink coffee. They don't have a car.
(b) She does not drink coffee. He doesn't have a car.
Note: The main verb does not have a final -s. The -s is part of does. / Hubachiisa: Gochimni ijoon dhuma irratti -s hin qabaatu. -s kutaa 'does' ti.
The Simple Present: Yes/No Questions / Yeroo Ammaa Salphaa: Gaaffii Eeyyee/Lakkii
To ask a yes/no question, start with Do or Does, followed by the subject and the simple form of the verb. / Gaaffii eeyyee/lakkii gaafachuuf, Do ykn Does dura buusi, itti aansuun matimaafi gochima bu'uuraa fayyadami.
(a) Do you like coffee? → Yes, I do. / No, I don't.
(b) Does Bob like tea? → Yes, he does. / No, he doesn't.
Important: Do not use a form of `do` if the main verb is `be`. (e.g., Are you a student?) / Barbaachisaa: Yoo gochimni ijoon 'be' ta'e, 'do' hin fayyadamin.
Asking Information Questions / Gaaffii Odeeffannoo Gaafachuu
Use question words like Where, When, or What time before `do` or `does`. / Jechoota gaaffii kan akka Where, When, ykn What time fayyadami, 'do' ykn 'does' dura.
(a) Where do they live? → In Tokyo.
(b) When does Anna eat dinner? → At six P.M.
Using "It" for Time and Weather / "It" yeroo fi haala qilleensaa ibsuuf fayyadamuu
In English, we use it to talk about time and weather. / Ingiliffa keessatti, yeroo fi haala qilleensaa ibsuuf 'it' fayyadamna.
What time is it? → It's nine o'clock.
What's the weather like? → It's sunny today.