Ch 5 · Lesson 11Esperanto · Chapter 5 · Lesson 11 · Grammar primer
Kiam: the tense that is really true
, : when he comes, said in the future because it is in the future. The same goes for , and .
The short version
, .
Why?Hide
English says when he comes, a present, about something that has not happened yet. Esperanto says , because the coming is in the future. Every verb carries its real time, so the same goes for , and : , , I will wait until you come.
kiam and the real tense
Time clauses take the tense that is actually true, measured from the main verb:
| Time | Esperanto | English |
|---|---|---|
| past | , . | When I came, he was sleeping. |
| future | , . | When he comes, I will tell him. |
English says when he comes, a present, about something that has not happened. Esperanto says , because it is in the future. Casual speech sometimes uses for a future too, but the careful form, and the one to learn, is .
The same principle runs through clauses after a past verb:
, .- He said he was ill. (he said: I am ill), .- He said he had been ill. (he said: I was ill)
There is no English-style shift backwards: reported speech has the whole rule.
The other time words work the same way:
| Word | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| while | , . |
| after | , . |
| until | , . |
| before | , . |
takes a plain infinitive when the subject stays the same: , . - I ate before leaving.
Going further: ke: never dropped and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
Practise this lesson
9-question session
One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
Esperanto · Free printables
Worksheets for this lesson
Worksheets with answer keys built in. Open any one to view, print or save.
Free for members
The printable worksheets, infographics and PDFs are free with an account. Start a free week and download as many as you like.
Start your free weekLesson 11 of 31 in this chapter