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Lesson 21: Types of Predicates Next
Lesson 21: ▶ Part 1: Types of Predicates Dialogue Exercises Vocabulary

The Three Predicates

أَنْوَاعُ الْخَبَرِ

You learned that a Nominal Sentence has two parts: The Subject (Mubtada') and the Predicate (Khabar). But the Khabar doesn't always have to be just a single word! It comes in 3 different shapes. Let's look at them.

Type 1: Single Word (Mufrad)

This is the classic, default predicate. It is a single word (usually an adjective or noun) that describes the subject. It is always Marfoo' (ending in Damma/Dammatayn).

Mubtada' (Subject)
اَلرَّجُلُ
Ar-rajulu
The man
+
Khabar (Word)
جَدِيدٌ
Jadeedun
is new

"The man is new."

Type 2: Prepositional Phrase (Jar wa Majroor)

Instead of a single word, the predicate can be an entire phrase made of a Preposition and a noun pulled down into a Kasra. (We learned this rule in Lesson 15!)

Mubtada' (Subject)
اَلرَّجُلُ
Ar-rajulu
The man
+
Khabar (Phrase)
فِي الْمَسْجِدِ
fil-masjidi
is in the mosque

"The man is in the mosque."

Note: Because the Khabar is a phrase, you won't see outward Damma signs. The preposition (Fee) still forces a Kasra (i) onto the mosque! The entire phrase together acts as the predicate.

Type 3: Adverb Phrase (Dharf)

The predicate can be an adverb of location. These simple words (like "In front of" or "Under") always end in a Fatha (`َ`), and just like prepositions, they strictly pull the next noun down into a Kasra (`ِ`)!

Mubtada' (Subject)
اَلرَّجُلُ
Ar-rajulu
The man
+
Khabar (Adverb)
أَمَامَ الْمَسْجِدِ
amaamal-masjidi
is in front of the mosque

"The man is in front of the mosque."

Essential Location Adverbs:

أَمَامَ
amaama
In front of
تَحْتَ
taHta
Under

4. Identification Lab

Read these sentences and identify which type of Khabar is being used to complete the thought!

The student is new.
Word
At-taalibu jadeedun.
اَلطَّالِبُ جَدِيدٌ
The boy is in the classroom.
Preposition
Al-waladu fil-fasli.
اَلْوَلَدُ فِي الْفَصْلِ
The teacher is in front of the board.
Adverb
Al-mudarrisu amaamas-sabboorati.
اَلْمُدَرِّسُ أَمَامَ السَّبُّورَةِ
The book is under the desk.
Adverb
Al-kitaabu taHtal-maktabi.
اَلْكِتَابُ تَحْتَ الْمَكْتَبِ
The car is beautiful.
Word
As-sayyaaratu jameelatun.
اَلسَّيَّارَةُ جَمِيلَةٌ
The man is in the house.
Preposition
Ar-rajulu fil-bayti.
اَلرَّجُلُ فِي الْبَيْتِ

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