When used as an auxiliary to verbs, it, like shiri ne, signifies that the action is still in progress. It expresses, so, to speak, “the very act.”
- (d.) Tap an.
The words tap an mean “it is so,” and, added to verbs, they give them an emphatic force. It is as though one said, “it is so, and no mistake.”
For the past tense the following auxiliaries are used:—
- (a.) Nisa.
This word seems to be the proper auxiliary for the past tense. Its real meaning is doubtful.
- (b.) Okere.
Okere is a verb meaning “to finish;” and, when added to other verbs, gives them a conclusive force. When so used, it resembles the English perfect tense.
- (c.) Awa.
This word is a passive participle meaning “being,” “having been.” When placed after a verb, it indicates that one thing having been done, another was commenced, e.g.
- Ki awa, oman ruwe ne, having done it, he went away.
- (d.) A-eramu shin’ne.
For the past tense the words a-eramu shin’ne are sometimes used; e.g.
- Ibe a-eramu shin’ne, “I have eaten,” or “finished eating.”
- Iku a-eramu shin’ne, “I have drunk,” or “finished drinking.”
- Kara a-eramshinne, I have finished doing it.
The auxiliaries used to express future time are as follows:—
- (a.) Kusu ne, “will be.” Before the verb ki the final ne is dropped and kusu is changed into kush, and thus is made the future participle. As:—kush ki, “about to do.”
- Kik kush ki, “about to strike.”
- (b.) Nangoro, “probably will be.” This word expresses doubt and never amounts to more than probability. As:—Oman nangoro “he will probably go.”
