LessonsInterrogation (al-Istifhām): Particles, Conception, Assent and Rhetorical UsesQuiz

Using the same verb “came,” the question can target different missing information.

QuestionExpected answer
هَلْ جَاءَ زَيْدٌ؟Yes or no
مَنْ جَاءَ؟The person's identity
مَتَى جَاءَ؟Time of arrival
مِنْ أَيْنَ جَاءَ؟Point of origin
كَيْفَ جَاءَ؟Manner of arrival
كَمْ شَخْصًا جَاءَ؟Number of people

The important skill is not memorizing one English gloss for each particle, but understanding what is sought, what would answer it, and what the context contributes. This also prepares the learner to identify figurative purposes.

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Choosing the interrogative that matches the missing information

Interrogation (al-Istifhām): Particles, Conception, Assent and Rhetorical Uses

Using the same verb “came,” the question can target different missing information.

QuestionExpected answer
هَلْ جَاءَ زَيْدٌ؟Yes or no
مَنْ جَاءَ؟The person's identity
مَتَى جَاءَ؟Time of arrival
مِنْ أَيْنَ جَاءَ؟Point of origin
كَيْفَ جَاءَ؟Manner of arrival
كَمْ شَخْصًا جَاءَ؟Number of people

The important skill is not memorizing one English gloss for each particle, but understanding what is sought, what would answer it, and what the context contributes. This also prepares the learner to identify figurative purposes.