Language Structures
This domain tests sentence-level grammar: noun-class concord, tense and aspect, pronouns, negation, question formation, clause linking and direct/indirect speech.
Concord
The noun class controls the subject concord. Class 1 omuntu takes o-; class 2 ovanhu takes ova-. Compare Omuntu ota dhana (the person is playing) and Ovanhu otava dhana (the people are playing).
Tense and aspect
Ota dhana is progressive; ota ka dhana is future; okwa dhana is past. Keep the auxiliary and the main verb together.
Negation and questions
Negate with ita- (class 1) and itava- (class 2): ita dhana, itava dhana. Yes/no questions can use mbela; content questions use Oshike?, Omolwashike?, Penye?
Worked example
Choose the correct concord: ‘Ovanhu ___ dhana.’ Options: ota, otava, okwa. Answer: otava. Reasoning: ovanhu is class 2 plural, so the subject concord is ova-; ota is class 1 singular and okwa is past class 1. The verb dhana remains unchanged.
Traps that cost marks
- Using ota with a plural class 2 subject.
- Mixing past okwa- with present ota-.
- Forgetting that negation changes the prefix, not the English word “not”.
- Translating “is playing” word for word.
- Dropping the auxiliary in the future.