1. Regular Verbs:
* For singular subjects (I, you, he, she, it): Add the ending "-t" to the infinitive form of the verb.
* Example: "eet" (to eat) becomes "eett" (eats)
* For plural subjects (we, you, they): Use the infinitive form of the verb without any endings.
* Example: "eet" (to eat) remains "eet" (eat)
2. Irregular Verbs:
* Some verbs have irregular present tense forms. These need to be memorized.
* Example: "wees" (to be) becomes "is" (is), "is" (are)
3. "To have" (heb):
* For singular subjects: Use "het".
* Example: "Ek het 'n boek." (I have a book.)
* For plural subjects: Use "het".
* Example: "Ons het boeke." (We have books.)
4. "To want" (wil):
* For all subjects: Use "wil".
* Example: "Hy wil 'n koek." (He wants a cake.)
5. Progressive Present Tense:
* The progressive present tense is formed with "is" + the present participle of the verb (ending in "-end").
* Example: "Hy is eetend." (He is eating.)
Here are some examples:
* Ek eet (I eat)
* Jy eet (You eat)
* Hy eet (He eats)
* Ons eet (We eat)
* Julle eet (You (plural) eat)
* Hulle eet (They eat)
* Ek is (I am)
* Jy is (You are)
* Hy is (He is)
* Ons is (We are)
* Julle is (You (plural) are)
* Hulle is (They are)
Note:
* Afrikaans does not have separate forms for present continuous and present simple like English. The context usually makes it clear whether the action is ongoing or habitual.
* In Afrikaans, the subject pronoun is often omitted if it is clear from the context.