arabic sentence patterns georgia center for language

Arabic Sentence Arabic Sentence PatternsPatterns

Georgia Center for LanguageGeorgia Center for Language

Sentence ComponentsSentence Components

Subject: Noun or noun phrase that tells who or Subject: Noun or noun phrase that tells who or what the sentence addresseswhat the sentence addresses Ex. Ex. HarryHarry went to the store. went to the store.

Predicate: Verb or verb phrase telling what the Predicate: Verb or verb phrase telling what the subject is or doessubject is or does Ex. Harry Ex. Harry is smart.is smart.

Clause: Part of a sentence that contains its own Clause: Part of a sentence that contains its own subject and predicatesubject and predicate Ex. Ex. I ran to the storeI ran to the store and and bought a loaf of breadbought a loaf of bread..

Main Clause Sub-Clause

Sentence ComponentsSentence Components

Phrase: Group of related words without a Phrase: Group of related words without a subject or predicate.subject or predicate. Ex. I went Ex. I went to the storeto the store. (Prepositional Phrase). (Prepositional Phrase) Ex. Ex. Stolen grapesStolen grapes are especially sweet. are especially sweet.

(Verbal Phrase)(Verbal Phrase) My brother, My brother, a kid at hearta kid at heart, loves to watch , loves to watch

cartoons. (Appositive Phrase)cartoons. (Appositive Phrase)

Parts of SpeechParts of Speech

Nouns: Name a person, animal, place, thing, or Nouns: Name a person, animal, place, thing, or idea.idea. Ex. My Ex. My uniformuniform is heavy. is heavy.

Adjectives: Describe or modify nouns and Adjectives: Describe or modify nouns and pronounspronouns I like I like bloodybloody steaks. steaks.

Adverbs: Modify a verb, adverb, adjective, Adverbs: Modify a verb, adverb, adjective, phrase, or clause by indicating how, where, phrase, or clause by indicating how, where, when, or how muchwhen, or how much I visited the bathroom I visited the bathroom frequentlyfrequently after eating that after eating that

steak.steak.


Verbs: indicate an action or a state of Verbs: indicate an action or a state of beingbeing Ex. This building Ex. This building smellssmells funny. funny. In Arabic, verbs are conjugated for three In Arabic, verbs are conjugated for three

things:things:Gender: Masculine or FeminineGender: Masculine or Feminine

Person: 1Person: 1stst, 2, 2ndnd or 3 or 3rdrd

Number: Singular, Plural or DualNumber: Singular, Plural or Dual


Person indicates who the action of the verb Person indicates who the action of the verb refers to.refers to. 11stst person Arabic pronouns: person Arabic pronouns: \نحن نحن\انا انا 22ndnd person Arabic pronouns: person Arabic pronouns: \ \ انتن�\ انتما انتم \انت� \ انتن�\ انتما انتم انت� 33rdrd person Arabic pronouns: person Arabic pronouns: \ \ \ من�\ هما هم هي \هو \ \ من�\ هما هم هي هوNumber indicates how many members the Number indicates how many members the subject is made up of. subject is made up of. Singular: Subject is made up of one member Singular: Subject is made up of one member Plural: Subject is made up of multiple membersPlural: Subject is made up of multiple members Dual: Subject is made up of two membersDual: Subject is made up of two members In Arabic, nonhuman plurals are treated as a feminine In Arabic, nonhuman plurals are treated as a feminine

singular subject.singular subject.


Pronouns: Replace a noun without specifying a Pronouns: Replace a noun without specifying a namename II want want mymy MTV MTV.. Personal Prounouns: I, we, he, she, it, theyPersonal Prounouns: I, we, he, she, it, they Demonstrative Pronouns: This, that, these, thoseDemonstrative Pronouns: This, that, these, those Relative Pronouns: Who, whose, whichRelative Pronouns: Who, whose, which

Prepositions: Indicate spatial, temporal or Prepositions: Indicate spatial, temporal or conceptual relationships between words.conceptual relationships between words. I think I think ofof my wife often. my wife often. I put the bean I put the bean upup my nose. my nose.


Conjunctions: Link other words, phrases, Conjunctions: Link other words, phrases, or clauses togetheror clauses together Coordinating ConjunctionsCoordinating Conjunctions

I’ll have the ham I’ll have the ham andand eggs eggs oror the pancakes. the pancakes. Correlative ConjunctionsCorrelative Conjunctions

WhetherWhether you like it you like it oror not, it has to be done. not, it has to be done. Conjunctive AdverbsConjunctive Adverbs

He was always jealous of his brother, He was always jealous of his brother, thereforetherefore he he was happy to join the plot against him.was happy to join the plot against him.

Nominal SentencesNominal Sentences

Nominal (or equational) sentences and Nominal (or equational) sentences and clauses consist of two partsclauses consist of two parts

The The subjectsubject: : رجل رجلهوهو And the And the predicate complementpredicate complement (also called (also called

the the predicate nominalpredicate nominal): ): رجلرجلهو هوThe predicate complement describes or The predicate complement describes or renames the subject of the nominal renames the subject of the nominal sentence. (He is who or what? A man.)sentence. (He is who or what? A man.)

The Nominative CaseThe Nominative Case

I am a teacher.I am a teacher.

You are students.You are students.

He is a man.He is a man.

She is pretty.She is pretty.

The car is red.The car is red.

انا استاذ.انا استاذ.

انتم ط�الب.انتم ط�الب.

هو رجل.هو رجل.

هي جميلة.هي جميلة.

السيارة السيارة حمراء.حمراء.

Examples of Equational SentencesExamples of Equational Sentences


If we were to put the case markings in the If we were to put the case markings in the sentence sentence السيارة حمراءالسيارة حمراء, , the subject of the subject of the sentence would be voweled with a the sentence would be voweled with a dhamma dhamma (( �� )), the short vowel used for , the short vowel used for nominative case. The subject of any nominative case. The subject of any sentence or clause, and any word or sentence or clause, and any word or phrase that modifies the subject, is phrase that modifies the subject, is voweled in the nominative case (there are voweled in the nominative case (there are exceptions which we will see later)exceptions which we will see later)


.1.1. جديد% .الكتاب� جديد% الكتاب�

.2.2. جميل% .الطالب� جميل% الطالب�

.3.3. طالب% .المدير� طالب% المدير�

.4.4. مدير% .انت� مدير% انت�

.5.5. س� المدر� .أنا س� المدر� أنا

.1.1. جديد .الكتاب جديد الكتاب

.2.2. جميل .الطالب جميل الطالب

.3.3. طالب .المدير طالب المدير

.4.4. مدير .انت� مدير انت�

.5.5. المدر�س .أنا المدر�س أنا

Vowel and Translate the Following Sentences:Vowel and Translate the Following Sentences:

The Genitive CaseThe Genitive Case

The Genitive Case is applied to nouns and The Genitive Case is applied to nouns and adjectives in the following situations:adjectives in the following situations:

Object of a Prepositional PhraseObject of a Prepositional Phrase

Second or later term of an Idaafa Second or later term of an Idaafa (Noun in Construct)(Noun in Construct)


The Genitive case is indicated by the The Genitive case is indicated by the vowel kesra (vowel kesra ( ).).

The Genitive case is indicated by one The Genitive case is indicated by one kesra (kesra ( ) if the word is definite and two ) if the word is definite and two kesras (kesras ( ) if the word is indefinite ) if the word is indefinite (nunation).(nunation).


Object of a Prepositional PhraseObject of a Prepositional PhrasePrepositions position, or locate, another word in Prepositions position, or locate, another word in the sentence.the sentence.

English examples: over, under, around, above, English examples: over, under, around, above, through, in, on, intothrough, in, on, into

Arabic examples:Arabic examples: ,..عن, على, في, من, الى, ل.., عن, على, في, من, الى, ل .. ..بب


.الكتاب� على الطاولة.الكتاب� على الطاولة

. .الطالب� في البيت الطالب� في البيت

أنت� المدير� في هذا أنت� المدير� في هذا . .المكتب المكتب

المكتبة� قريبة% من المكتبة� قريبة% من .الجامعة.الجامعة

الكتاب على الطاولة.الكتاب على الطاولة.

الطالب في البيت.الطالب في البيت.

أنت� المدير في هذا أنت� المدير في هذا المكتب.المكتب.

المكتبة قريبة من المكتبة قريبة من الجامعة.الجامعة.

Examples of Prepositional PhrasesExamples of Prepositional PhrasesVowel and translate the followingVowel and translate the following

The IdaafaThe Idaafa

FunctionFunction

FormForm


The Idaafa (Noun in Construct)The Idaafa (Noun in Construct)

The Idaafa is used for the following:The Idaafa is used for the following:

To show ownership or possessionTo show ownership or possession

To show membership or associationTo show membership or association

To show a characteristic feature or qualityTo show a characteristic feature or quality


Rules of the IdaafaRules of the IdaafaAn Idaafa consists of two or more nouns*.An Idaafa consists of two or more nouns*.ONLY the last term of an Idaafa CAN have the ONLY the last term of an Idaafa CAN have the definite article.definite article.ONLY the last term of an Idaafa CAN take ONLY the last term of an Idaafa CAN take nunation.nunation.The first term of an Idaafa can be in any case The first term of an Idaafa can be in any case based on the Idaafa’s function in the sentence, but based on the Idaafa’s function in the sentence, but it will NOT be nunated.it will NOT be nunated.All terms other than the first term of an Idaafa will All terms other than the first term of an Idaafa will be in the genitive case, regardless of the Idaafa’s be in the genitive case, regardless of the Idaafa’s position in the sentence.position in the sentence.


A university professorA university professor

The office directorThe office director

A teacher’s houseA teacher’s house

The teacher’s houseThe teacher’s house

An office director’s carAn office director’s car

The office director’s carThe office director’s car

أستاذ� جامعةأستاذ� جامعة

مدير� المكتبمدير� المكتب

بيت� مدرسبيت� مدرس

بيت� المدرسبيت� المدرس

سيارة� مدير مكتبسيارة� مدير مكتب

سيارة� مدير المكتبسيارة� مدير المكتب

Examples of the IdaafaExamples of the Idaafa


..كتاب� المدير جديد%كتاب� المدير جديد%

�ها مكتب% كبير% �ها مكتب% كبير%مكتب ..مكتب

..مدير� هذا المكتب بليد%مدير� هذا المكتب بليد%

دراسة� قواعد اللغة العربية دراسة� قواعد اللغة العربية

..ممتعة%ممتعة%

..على مكتب تفاح� استاذعلى مكتب تفاح� استاذ

..كتاب المدير جديدكتاب المدير جديد

..مكتبها مكتب كبيرمكتبها مكتب كبير

..مدير هذا المكتب بليدمدير هذا المكتب بليد

دراسة قواعد اللغة العربية دراسة قواعد اللغة العربية

..ممتعةممتعة

..على مكتب تفاح استاذعلى مكتب تفاح استاذ

Examples of the IdaafaExamples of the IdaafaVowel and translate the followingVowel and translate the following


Constructs not easily recognizable as Constructs not easily recognizable as IdaafasIdaafas

The False IdaafaThe False Idaafa This idaafa is This idaafa is functioningfunctioning as an adjective. as an adjective.

قام الجيش االمريكي بعملية واسعة النطاق في قام الجيش االمريكي بعملية واسعة النطاق فيبغداد.بغداد.

في قام الجيش� االمريكي بعملية واسعة النطاق في قام الجيش� االمريكي بعملية واسعة النطاقبغداد.بغداد.


Constructs not easily recognizable as IdaafasConstructs not easily recognizable as Idaafas

The Indefinite IdaafaThe Indefinite Idaafa None of the nouns in this type of Idaafa have None of the nouns in this type of Idaafa have

the definite article.the definite article.

قام الجيش االمريكي بعملية توغل واسعة قام الجيش االمريكي بعملية توغل واسعة ..النطاق في بغدادالنطاق في بغداد

قام الجيش� االمريكي بعملية توغل واسعة قام الجيش� االمريكي بعملية توغل واسعة..النطاق في بغدادالنطاق في بغداد


Constructs not easily recognizable as IdaafasConstructs not easily recognizable as IdaafasIdaafas beginning with any, one, some, all, or same.Idaafas beginning with any, one, some, all, or same.

ايG كتابايG كتاباية� لحظةاية� لحظة

بعض� االصدقاءبعض� االصدقاء

كلG الكتبكلG الكتب

جميع� السكانجميع� السكان

نفس� الكتابنفس� الكتابThe SuperlativeThe Superlative

هو احسن� طالب.هو احسن� طالب.


Constructs not easily recognizable as IdaafasConstructs not easily recognizable as Idaafas The possessive pronoun endingThe possessive pronoun ending

Nouns with a possessive pronoun ending are idaafas.Nouns with a possessive pronoun ending are idaafas.

The noun being possessed will take the case appropriate to The noun being possessed will take the case appropriate to its function in the sentence.its function in the sentence.

المدير في مكتبه. المدير في مكتبه.

.ه ه.المدير في مكتب المدير في مكتب

سيارته في الشارع. سيارته في الشارع.

. �ه� في الشارع . سيارت �ه� في الشارع سيارت

Voweling the Pronoun Voweling the Pronoun ه�ه�

Pronouns starting with Pronouns starting with هن� \ \ \ ( (ه�ه� ه� هما هن� \ \ \ هم ه� هما ))هم are affected by the vowel that precedes are affected by the vowel that precedes them:them: If it is preceded by a kasra, it will take on the kasraIf it is preceded by a kasra, it will take on the kasra If it is preceded by a fatha, dhamma, or sukkun, it If it is preceded by a fatha, dhamma, or sukkun, it

keeps its dhammakeeps its dhammaExamplesExamples::

فيهفيه = = فيفي + + ه�ه� معه�معه� = = ه�ه� + + معمع ه مكتب ه في مكتب في

The Accusative CaseThe Accusative Case

The Accusative case is indicated by the The Accusative case is indicated by the vowel fatha (vowel fatha ( �� ).).The Accusative case is indicated by one The Accusative case is indicated by one fatha (fatha ( � � ) if the word is definite and two ) if the word is definite and two fathas (fathas ( or or ا if the word is indefinite ) if the word is indefinite ( ا(nunation).(nunation).There are numerous sentence patterns There are numerous sentence patterns which require the use of the accusative which require the use of the accusative casecase

Kanna and the Nominal SentenceKanna and the Nominal Sentence

كانت اختي طالبة كانت اختي طالبة جديدة.جديدة.

كان المدير� الطالب� كان المدير� الطالب� الجديد�.الجديد�.

اصبح الجندي� رقيبا.اصبح الجندي� رقيبا.

ما زال االرهاب� خطيرا.ما زال االرهاب� خطيرا.

ما دامت السيارة� ما دامت السيارة� معطلة.معطلة.

كانت اختي طالبة جديدة.كانت اختي طالبة جديدة.

كان المدير الطالب كان المدير الطالب الجديد.الجديد.

اصبح الجندي رقيب.اصبح الجندي رقيب.

ما زال االرهاب خطير.ما زال االرهاب خطير.

ما دامت السيارة معطلة.ما دامت السيارة معطلة.

Predicate Complement following Predicate Complement following اخواتها و اخواتها كان و كان may be used in nominal sentencesmay be used in nominal sentences كان و اخواتهاكان و اخواتها Predicate complements of sentences using Predicate complements of sentences using كان و اخواتهاكان و اخواتها are are

declined (voweled) in the Accusative case.declined (voweled) in the Accusative case.

Verbal SentencesVerbal Sentences

When a sentence contains a verb that indicates When a sentence contains a verb that indicates an action or state of being, that sentence is an action or state of being, that sentence is called a verbal sentence.called a verbal sentence.The verb can be intransitive, i.e. it doesn’t take a The verb can be intransitive, i.e. it doesn’t take a direct object:direct object: التدخين عن الولد التدخين امتنع عن الولد امتنع

Or the verb can be transitive, i.e. it takes a direct Or the verb can be transitive, i.e. it takes a direct object. The direct object tells us who or what object. The direct object tells us who or what was affected by the action of the verb:was affected by the action of the verb: التدخين عن ولده األب التدخين منع عن ولده األب ..منع

Verbal SentencesVerbal Sentences

When a sentence contains a transitive verb, the When a sentence contains a transitive verb, the direct object of that verb is declined in the direct object of that verb is declined in the accusative case:accusative case:

رمى الولد الكرة.رمى الولد الكرة.

رمى الولد� الكرة��.رمى الولد� الكرة��.

كسرت البنت زجاجة.كسرت البنت زجاجة.

كسرتY البنت� زجاجة.كسرتY البنت� زجاجة.

اصدرت المنظمة الدولية تقرير.اصدرت المنظمة الدولية تقرير.

اصدرتY المنظمة� الدولية� تقريرا.اصدرتY المنظمة� الدولية� تقريرا.

The AdverbThe Adverb

There is no adverb, as such, in Arabic. There is no adverb, as such, in Arabic. However, derived nouns and adjectives However, derived nouns and adjectives can function as adverbs in a sentence. can function as adverbs in a sentence. When they do, they are declined in the When they do, they are declined in the accusative:accusative:

وصل صديقي وصل صديقي ماشيا و قال لي و قال لي ماشيا ضاحكا ضاحكا .“.“فجأةفجأة”سيارتي تعطلت ”سيارتي تعطلت

دائما aها تريد انY تسافر دائما aها تريد انY تسافر تقول إن تقول إن شرقا . . شرقا

The Haal ClauseThe Haal Clause

The above sentences contain examples of the The above sentences contain examples of the Haal Clause. A Haal clause is a sentence which Haal Clause. A Haal clause is a sentence which contains a main clause + a subordinate clause contains a main clause + a subordinate clause which modifies the verb in the main clause. The which modifies the verb in the main clause. The Haal clause can be constructed with or without a Haal clause can be constructed with or without a verb:verb: العربية الطالب العربية درس الطالب يبتسم درس هو يبتسم و هو وIn the above example, the conjunction In the above example, the conjunction وو is NOT is NOT being used as the coordinating conjunction being used as the coordinating conjunction “and”. It is functioning as a “and”. It is functioning as a conjunctive adverbconjunctive adverb that introduces a sub-clause which is modifying that introduces a sub-clause which is modifying the verb in the main clause. the verb in the main clause.

The Haal ConstructThe Haal Construct

In other words, the sub-clause is In other words, the sub-clause is describing describing howhow or or whenwhen the action in the the action in the main clause is being done. The best main clause is being done. The best translation of translation of وو when it’s used to introduce when it’s used to introduce the adverbial Haal clause is the the adverbial Haal clause is the conjunctive adverb while, or as:conjunctive adverb while, or as: العربية الطالب العربية درس الطالب يبتسم درس هو يبتسم و هو و The student studied Arabic The student studied Arabic while smiling (as while smiling (as

he was smiling).he was smiling).


You can omit the You can omit the وو and the subject and the subject pronoun in the Haal clause, and the pronoun in the Haal clause, and the sentence will mean the same thing:sentence will mean the same thing: العربية الطالب العربية درس الطالب يبتسميبتسمدرسYou can also replace the verb with the You can also replace the verb with the active participle of that verb and get the active participle of that verb and get the same meaning:same meaning: العربية الطالب العربية درس الطالب مبتسم درس هو مبتسم و هو و


When you replace the verb with the active When you replace the verb with the active participle, you can omit participle, you can omit وو and the subject and the subject pronoun just as you do with a Haal clause pronoun just as you do with a Haal clause that uses the verb:that uses the verb: العربية الطالب العربية درس الطالب درس مبتسما مبتسماNotice that when you omit Notice that when you omit وو and the and the subject pronoun and you’re using the subject pronoun and you’re using the active participle, the participle becomes active participle, the participle becomes accusative. Why?accusative. Why?

The Haal ClauseThe Haal Clause

+ + subject pronoun+ subject pronoun + ووverbverb

العربية الطالب العربية درس الطالب درسيبتسم هو يبتسم و هو و

Verb onlyVerb only العربية الطالب العربية درس الطالب درسيبتسميبتسم

+ subject pronoun + + subject pronoun + ووactive participleactive participle

العربية الطالب العربية درس الطالب درسمبتسم هو مبتسم و هو و

Active participle in the Active participle in the accusativeaccusative

العربية الطالب العربية درس الطالب درس مبتسما مبتسما

Other Uses of the AccusativeOther Uses of the Accusative

Subject Following Subject Following aإنaاخواتها إن اخواتها و , ( (و , ,aألن aلكن aأن , , ,aألن aلكن aأنaلعلaلعل((

The Dummy PronounThe Dummy PronounRules state that Rules state that aإنaاخواتها إن اخواتها و و must be followed by a must be followed by a noun or pronoun.noun or pronoun.

However, it is often preferred to start sentences However, it is often preferred to start sentences and clauses with a verb followed by the subject. and clauses with a verb followed by the subject.

How can this be accomplished?How can this be accomplished?

By using the Dummy Pronoun By using the Dummy Pronoun هه ..

Other Uses of the AccusativeOther Uses of the AccusativeSubject of a clause following Subject of a clause following إن و اخواتهاإن و اخواتها - The Dummy Pronoun- The Dummy Pronoun

Ex. Subject/Verb/Object clause:Ex. Subject/Verb/Object clause:

aقال الرئيس� إن aقال الرئيس� إن�بدأ العملية �الجيش�بدأ العملية �الجيش ..Translation: The president said that the Army began the operation.Translation: The president said that the Army began the operation.

Ex. Verb/Subject/Object clause with the dummy pronoun:Ex. Verb/Subject/Object clause with the dummy pronoun:

aه� aه� قال الرئيس� إن بدأ الجيش� العملية�بدأ الجيش� العملية�قال الرئيس� إن ..Translation: The president said that the Army began the operation.Translation: The president said that the Army began the operation.

Note that the translations are the same – the pronoun is not translated. Note that the translations are the same – the pronoun is not translated. It is used simply to satisfy the grammar rules ofIt is used simply to satisfy the grammar rules of

..إنa و اخواتهاإنa و اخواتها

The pronoun The pronoun هه attached to these particles is not attached to these particles is not always a dummy pronoun.always a dummy pronoun.

Ex. Ex. ه� اصدر االمر لالنسحابa aه� اصدر االمر لالنسحابقال الرئيس� إن ..قال الرئيس� إن

Translation: The president said that Translation: The president said that hehe issued the order for the withdrawal.issued the order for the withdrawal.

The feminine pronoun suffixThe feminine pronoun suffix هاها is never is never

used as the dummy pronoun, onlyused as the dummy pronoun, only هه

Special Rules for CaseSpecial Rules for Case

Masculine Sound PluralsMasculine Sound Plurals

Masculine Sound Plurals (words ending in Masculine Sound Plurals (words ending in �ون�ون or or �ين�ين ) follow the following rules for case:) follow the following rules for case:

The suffix The suffix �ون�ون is used for the nominative is used for the nominative case.case.

The suffix The suffix �ين�ين is used for the accusative is used for the accusative and genitive cases.and genitive cases.

The final vowel (fatha) does not change.The final vowel (fatha) does not change. When functioning as the first term of the When functioning as the first term of the

Idaafa, the Idaafa, the نن is dropped.is dropped.

DualDualMasculine Dual forms follow the Masculine Dual forms follow the following rules:following rules:

•The suffix The suffix is used for the is used for the انانnominative case.nominative case.•The suffix The suffix is used for the is used for the ينينaccusative and genitive cases.accusative and genitive cases.•The final vowel (kesra) does not The final vowel (kesra) does not change.change.• When functioning as the first When functioning as the first term of the Idaafa, the term of the Idaafa, the نن is is dropped.dropped.

Special Rules for CaseSpecial Rules for Case

DiptotesDiptotes Diptotes follow special rules for case endings:Diptotes follow special rules for case endings:

When a diptote is definite, it takes regular case endings.When a diptote is definite, it takes regular case endings.When a diptote is indefinite it is never nunated.When a diptote is indefinite it is never nunated.When a diptote is indefinite, the accusative and genitive will When a diptote is indefinite, the accusative and genitive will both be declined with the fatha (without nunation).both be declined with the fatha (without nunation).

Diptotic PatternsDiptotic PatternsBroken Plurals of the following patterns:Broken Plurals of the following patterns:

مكاتب, عوامل, فرائد, اسابيع, رؤساء, اكابرمكاتب, عوامل, فرائد, اسابيع, رؤساء, اكابرAll feminine personal names, most masculine personal All feminine personal names, most masculine personal names, and most place names are diptotesnames, and most place names are diptotes

See Schulz page 123See Schulz page 123

BibliographyBibliography

All the Arabic You Never Learned the First All the Arabic You Never Learned the First Time AroundTime Around by Jim Price by Jim Price

A Student Grammar of Modern Standard A Student Grammar of Modern Standard ArabicArabic by Eckehard Schulz by Eckehard Schulz

arabic sentence patterns georgia center for language

Documents

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