Abstract
M.A.
Firstly, the aim of this study is to give a brief overview of the present research
on the consecutive, i.e. the existing views concerning this verbal form. Secondly, it is hoped that further investigation into the structure and nature of the consecutive in Zulu, and in the other African languages, will be stimulated. Thirdly the nature of the consecutive as a verb category i.e. the form, meaning and use will be determined. Questions which arise are the following: Is the consecutive a tense, either of the subjunctive or indicative or a separate mood? In order to answer this question, it must be determined whether the consecutive denotes time or whether it constitutes a separate mood. In which contexts can the consecutive be used? What is the semantic value of the consecutive in the various contexts in which it can occur? Finally, since syntax and semantics are intertwined, a brief overview of the syntactic usage of the consecutive in Zulu, as discussed by various writers, will be given before embarking upon a discussion of its semantic use.