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Narrative tenses in storytelling Exercises in Bosnian language

Students mastering complex language patterns.

Narrative tenses are crucial for effective storytelling, especially in the Bosnian language where the past is often depicted with a rich variety of verb forms. Mastering these tenses allows you to convey the timeline of events accurately, enhancing the listener's or reader's understanding and engagement. In Bosnian, narrative tenses include the past simple (preterit), past continuous, past perfect, and past perfect continuous, each serving a unique purpose in setting the scene, describing ongoing actions, or indicating completed actions before another event. This complexity can be daunting, but with practice, you can learn to use these tenses fluidly and naturally. Understanding when and how to use narrative tenses in Bosnian is vital for anyone looking to tell compelling stories. Whether you are recounting a personal experience, writing a historical account, or creating fictional narratives, the appropriate use of these tenses will add depth and clarity to your storytelling. Our grammar exercises are designed to help you practice and internalize the nuances of each tense, providing you with the tools needed to become a proficient Bosnian storyteller. Through engaging examples and varied exercises, you will gain confidence and precision in your use of narrative tenses, making your stories more vivid and impactful.

Exercise 1

1. Kada sam *stigao* kući, večera je već bila na stolu (to arrive; masculine form). 2. Dok je *čitala* knjigu, začula je čudan zvuk (to read; feminine form). 3. On je *radio* na projektu kada je zazvonio telefon (to work; masculine form). 4. U trenutku kada je *uplašila* se, vrata su se otvorila (to get scared; feminine form). 5. Dok smo *šetali* parkom, počela je kiša (to walk; plural form). 6. Dok je *gledao* televiziju, zaspao je (to watch; masculine form). 7. Kada smo *stigle* na aerodrom, avion je već poleteo (to arrive; feminine plural form). 8. On je *pisao* pismo kada je neko pokucao na vrata (to write; masculine form). 9. Dok su *igrali* fudbal, počelo je da grmi (to play; plural form). 10. Ona je *pravila* kolače dok su deca bila napolju (to make; feminine form).

Exercise 2

1. Dok sam *čitao* knjigu, neko je pokucao na vrata (action in progress interrupted by another action). 2. Kada smo *stigli* na stanicu, voz je već otišao (action completed before another action). 3. Oni su *živjeli* u tom gradu deset godina prije nego što su se preselili (action that continued for some time before another action). 4. Prije nego što je zaspala, ona je *gledala* televiziju (action that was happening before another action). 5. Dok su *igrali* fudbal, počelo je kišiti (action in progress interrupted by another action). 6. Kada sam *ušao* u kuću, svi su već večerali (action completed before another action). 7. On je *pisao* pismo kada mu je telefon zazvonio (action in progress interrupted by another action). 8. Mi smo *bili* u parku kada je počeo koncert (action in progress before another action). 9. Oni su *učili* cijelo veče prije nego što su položili ispit (action that continued for some time before another action). 10. Kada je autobus *stigao*, već smo čekali pola sata (action completed before another action).

Exercise 3

1. Dok je Marko *čitao* knjigu, njegova sestra je gledala TV (verb for reading). 2. Kada smo *stigli* kući, večera je već bila spremna (verb for arriving). 3. Oni su *razgovarali* o filmu dok su hodali parkom (verb for talking). 4. Prošlog ljeta, mi smo *putovali* po Evropi (verb for traveling). 5. Kada je Ana *završila* zadaću, otišla je na spavanje (verb for finishing). 6. On je *kuhao* ručak dok je slušao muziku (verb for cooking). 7. Kada je *počelo* padati kiša, svi su se sklonili (verb for starting). 8. Oni su *igrali* fudbal kada je zazvonio telefon (verb for playing). 9. Dok sam ja *učio*, moj brat je pravio buku (verb for studying). 10. Kada je ona *stigla* na stanicu, autobus je već otišao (verb for arriving).