Determine the underlying root before classifying the visible word.
ClassExampleDefining feature
Sound (sālim)ضَرَبَNo root hamzah, weak radical, or doubled radical
HamzatedسَأَلَRoot hamzah
Initial-weak (mithāl)وَعَدَFirst weak radical
Hollow (ajwaf)قَالَMiddle weak radical
Final-weak (nāqiṣ)رَمَىLast weak radical
Separated double-weakوَقَىFirst and last weak radicals
Adjacent double-weakطَوَىLast two weak radicals
Doubled triliteralمَدَّSecond and third radicals identical
A visible alif does not identify the original middle radical: قَالَ belongs to the root ق و ل.