Key uses of إِنَّ in Arabic Grammar

There are at least nine important situations. إِنَّ is translated as verily; indeed; certainly; that – or is even left untranslated. It all depends on the context. إِنَّ basically conveys emphasis and is thus often called an emphatic particle.

This little device gives even native speakers a hard time. But it is not that difficult. In this article, we’ll take a brief look at the most important situations.

To start a nominal sentence

إنّ is used at the beginning of a nominal sentence (جُمْلةٌ اِسْمِيّةٌ). It works as an amplifier.

After a quotation

Good to know: almost always use إِنَّ after يَقُولُ – قالَ (R2=و)!

After a particle of inauguration

After أَلا, a so-called intensifying interjection or particle of inauguration (حَرْفُ اِسْتِفْتاحٍ). The expression أَلا can be rendered as oh yes, in­deed, truly, verily. It literally means: is it not.

After the Arabic word for “not at all”; “no way”

After the word كَلَّا which denotes not at all; on the con­trary; by no means! Certainly not! Never! No!

After the Arabic word إذ

After the particle إِذْ. In such constructions, إِذْ usually means when (note: it is not the word when which is used in questions).

After the Arabic words حيث and حتى

After حَيْثُ and حَتَّى

• حَيْثُ means where (not used for questions!) and is used as an adverb of place (ظَرْفُ مَكانٍ). In some situations, it may also denote since, as, due to the fact that; in that…
• حَتَّى in such constructions denotes so that (and not: un­til); in such a way that.

To start a حال

إِنّ can start a sentence used as a circumstantial description (حالٌ)

To start a relative clause

In an oath

To start the sentence after an oath (جَوابُ الْقَسَمِ)

Please let me know if you know any other difficult constructions with إِنَّ. I am happy to share and discuss it here.