ili + Subjunctive Verb

Purpose with Ili

Level 3

The conjunction ili means 'so that' or 'in order to'. It is typically followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood to express a goal or intended outcome, though it can also be followed by an infinitive when the subject remains the same.

How It Works

The word ili introduces a purpose clause, explaining the intended result of an action. It is usually followed by the Subjunctive -e form.

How to form it:

  • Native Bantu verbs: Change the final -a to -e. (e.g., soma → ili asome 'so that he reads')
  • Borrowed verbs: Verbs ending in -i, -e, or -u keep their final vowel (e.g., jibu → ili ujibu 'so that you answer'). However, borrowed verbs ending in -a DO change to -e just like native verbs (e.g., saidia → ili amsaidie 'so that he helps him').
  • Monosyllabic verbs: Drop the infinitive ku- prefix. (e.g., kula → ili ale 'so that he eats'). Note that the highly common verb kuwa (to be) becomes awe.
  • Negation: To say 'so that [subject] does not', place the Negative Subjunctive marker -si- immediately after the subject prefix. (e.g., ili asidondoke 'so that he doesn't fall')
  • Object prefixes: Because there is no tense marker, the object prefix sits immediately before the verb root, right after the subject prefix or negative marker (e.g., ili amsaidie 'so that he helps him', ili asimsaidie 'so that he doesn't help him').

Important Rules:
1. No tense markers: You cannot use tense infixes like -na-, -li-, or -ta- in the subjunctive.
2. Subject prefixes are mandatory: When using the subjunctive, Swahili requires the subject prefix (e.g., ili upumzike 'so that you rest'). Remember that the Class 1 Subject a- is used for 'he' or 'she' (e.g., ili asome), which learners sometimes confuse with the object or noun prefix m-. For inanimate subjects, you must use their respective noun class prefixes (e.g., gari → ili liende 'so that it goes').
3. Same-subject purpose: If the subject of the main action and the purpose action are the same, the most traditional and natural way to express purpose is to drop ili entirely and just use the Infinitive ku- (e.g., Nilikwenda kupumzika 'I went to rest'). While traditionalists might prefer dropping ili, using ili + infinitive is perfectly normal, common, and accepted in modern Swahili.
4. Omitting ili: The subjunctive alone can express purpose without ili, even when subjects are different (e.g., Nilikwenda anisaidie 'I went so he could help me'). Adding ili simply makes the purpose more explicit.
5. Using kuweza: A very common standard construction for 'so that [subject] can [do something]' is ili + the subjunctive of kuweza (to be able to) followed by an infinitive (e.g., ili aweze kusoma 'so that he can read').
6. Other uses of the subjunctive: Note that the subjunctive is not only used for purpose clauses with ili. It is also widely used for polite requests, suggestions, and indirect commands.

Examples (5)

  1. Soma ili uelewe.

    Read so that you may understand.

    Word by Word: Read so that you-understand.

    A classic example showing the final '-a' of 'elewa' changing to '-e'.

  2. Mimi nafanya kazi ili nipate mali.

    I work in order to get wealth.

    Word by Word: I I-do work so that I-get wealth.

    Demonstrates the mandatory subject prefix 'ni-' on the subjunctive verb 'nipate'.

  3. Alifunga kebo ukutani ili isining'inie chini.

    She fastened the cable to the wall so that it wouldn't hang down.

    Word by Word: She-past-fasten cable wall-at so that it-not-hang down.

    Shows the negative subjunctive infix '-si-' used to express 'so that it does not'.

  4. Ninakupa pesa ili ununue chakula.

    I am giving you money so that you buy food.

    Word by Word: I-present-you-give money so that you-buy food.

    When the subjects are different (I give, you buy), the subjunctive is required. Using 'ili' makes the purpose explicit, though the subjunctive alone could also be used.

  5. Tafadhali rudia swali ili nijibu.

    Please repeat the question so that I may answer.

    Word by Word: Please repeat question so that I-answer.

    The Arabic loan verb 'jibu' (to answer) retains its final '-u' in the subjunctive.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the 'ku-' prefix on monosyllabic verbs in the subjunctive.

    Ninakupa chakula ili ukule.
    Ninakupa chakula ili ule.

    When forming the subjunctive for monosyllabic verbs like 'kula' (to eat) or 'kuja' (to come), you must drop the infinitive 'ku-' prefix. It becomes 'ule' or 'uje', not 'ukule' or 'ukuje'.

  • Including a tense marker in the subjunctive verb.

    Ninasoma ili nitafaulu.
    Ninasoma ili nifaulu.

    The subjunctive mood cannot take tense markers like '-ta-' (future) or '-na-' (present). The subjunctive form itself already implies an intended outcome.

  • Changing the final vowel of Arabic loanwords.

    Nyamaza ili afikire.
    Nyamaza ili afikiri.

    While native Bantu verbs change their final '-a' to '-e' in the subjunctive, borrowed verbs ending in '-i', '-e', or '-u' (like fikiri, jibu, sahau) do not change their final vowel.

How It Connects

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ili + Subjunctive VerbLevel 3Purpose with Ili

Learn This First

To use 'ili' to express purpose, you must first understand how to conjugate verbs in the subjunctive mood, which involves changing the final vowel to -e and applying the correct subject markers.

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ili