the me tense (perfective) and the nge tense (potential).
30/ One independent tense prefix consists of the vowel -a- . This is one kind of ‘general present‘ tense, and is partially interchangeable with the na tense (above, par. 29 ). 31/ A third 'present tense' which is used only in talking about regular, characteristic or permanent actions and states. It begins with hue, and is unique in having no subject prefix.
32/ Two important tenses are 'dependent.' This means that a verb in one of these tenses cannot be the only verb in the sentence. For some reason, speakers of English generally neglect these tenses, resorting instead to paraphrases of what they are accustomed to in their native language. 33/ One of the dependent tenses has the prefix -ki- . It is sometimes translatable as 'if,' sometimes as 'when,' sometimes as 'while.' A good first approximation to its translation is '...ing.' 34/ The ki tense is often used instead of the tense as the second verb in an inflected verb phrase (see par. 68 - 70). 35/ It may also be used as the only verb in a subordinate clause.
The ka tense is used for one or more actions that are subsequent to some other action in the past. The first verb in such a series is in the li tense.
36/ one tense functions sometimes as a dependent tense, but sometimes as an independent tense. This is a noncommittal tense, which does not specify time, nor even whether the action will take place at all. It has no tense prefix. For verbs
whose present tense forms end in -a , the noncommittal tense ends in -e. 37/ For other verbs, there is no vowel change. 38/ The noncommittal tense may be used by itself in making a suggestion. 39/ It is also used after -taka 'want,' —omba 'request' and many other verbs where the subject of the first
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