Browse Category
Grammar
93 posts
Syntax without the headache. We strip down complex grammar rules, explain the logic of I’rab (case endings), and analyze sentence structures that confuse learners.
Subcategories
Bride or Groom? Unlocking the Meaning of ʻArūs (عَرُوسٌ) in Arabic
The Arabic word عَرُوسٌ (arūs) is surprisingly ambiguous. This analysis unpacks the gender of عَرُوسٌ and reveals the correct way to form the plural of عُرْسٌ (urs), the word for a wedding.
Introducing Errabic: Let’s Learn From Real-World Arabic Mistakes!
Spot an Arabic error on a sign, menu, or online? Share it! We're launching Errabic, a new community project to collect and learn from real-world mistakes. Help build this free resource!
The Phrase الطرق السيارة: Is There a Mistake?
On road signs in Morocco, you'll see the phrase الطرق السيارة. At first glance, this looks like an Arabic grammatical error. Or is it correct?
Grammatical Imposters and Double Agents: Unmasking the True Identity of وَسِيطٌ and عَدُوٌّ | UA #5
Ever memorized an Arabic pattern only to find it doesn't work as expected? We dissect two tricky words, عَدُوٌّ (enemy) and وَسِيطٌ (mediator), to reveal a core principle of Arabic grammar: actual usage always trumps the textbook form.
Distinguishing قادة and قيادات
This episode of Unlocking Arabic delves into the root ق-و-د to clarify a common point of confusion. Do the frequently encountered terms قادة and قيادات carry identical meanings in Arabic, especially in journalistic texts? We'll uncover the subtle yet crucial distinctions.
The Difference Between طول and طوال
In this "Unlocking Arabic" installment, we dive into the precise meaning and pronunciation of طوال. Discover whether you should say طُوْلَ السَّنَةِ, طِيلةَ السَّنَةِ, or طَوَالَ السَّنَةِ to express "all year round," understanding the subtle grammatical differences for each.
The Qur’an Revisited: The Passive Voice in the Qur’an
The passive voice appears in only 5.27% of Qur'anic verbs, making it a unique grammatical feature. This article summarizes important findings on its use, including emphasizing Allah's miraculous acts, conveying instructions, and expressing prohibitions. We also examine relevant verses from Suras like Al-Infitar and Al-Ma'ida.
The Ultimate Guide to the Arabic Passive Voice (المبني للمجهول)
Arabic's passive voice is unique and far less common than in English. This article simplifies its rules, detailing how to form passive verbs in both past and present tenses. You'll also learn about active verb forms (like Stem V and VII) that surprisingly carry a passive meaning, and how different verb types handle passive conjugation.
Why Is كَأَنَّ a Sister of إِنَّ but لِأَنَّ Is Not?
This article delves into a fascinating Arabic grammar question: Why do classical grammarians list كَأَنَّ as a sister of إِنَّ, but not بِأَنَّ or لِأَنَّ? We explore the nature of the particle كَ, analyze common use cases, and examine examples from the Qur'an and classical poetry to find answers and invite further discussion.
The Number 8 in Arabic: Grammar and Spelling
The number 8 in Arabic is tricky! This article breaks down its special grammatical rules, including why the masculine form is unique, how to correctly use 18, and why 800 often sounds the same. Master this challenging area of Arabic numbers.
