Infinitival Particles: Mā, An and Anna

Interpreted verbal nouns, original examples, verbal and nominal clauses, case positions and worked parsing Read the bilingual lesson for Infinitival Particles: Mā, An and Anna and test your understanding with a focused quiz.

Lesson

1. Three Source-Forming Particles

فَصْلٌ: حُرُوفُ الْمَصْدَرِ ثَلَاثَةٌ: مَا، وَأَنْ، وَأَنَّ.
Translation: Chapter: there are three particles of verbal-noun interpretation: mā, an, and anna.
The author lists three source-forming particles: mā, light an, and emphatic anna. Each allows a following construction to be understood as a verbal noun.

2. Verbal Noun Versus Interpreted Verbal Noun

Qirāʾah is a directly expressed verbal noun; an aqraʾa is an interpreted verbal noun formed from an infinitival particle and a verb. It can occupy a noun-like syntactic position.

3. The Replacement Test

Replace the particle-plus-clause with a suitable verbal noun: urīdu an ataʿallama becomes urīdu al-taʿalluma. The essential meaning remains the wish to learn.

4. The Author’s Main Division

فَالْأُولَيَانِ لِلْجُمْلَةِ الْفِعْلِيَّةِ
Translation: The first two apply to a verbal clause.
The source primarily treats mā and light an with verbal clauses, while anna introduces its nominal predication, consisting of its subject and predicate.

5. First Particle: Infinitival Mā

Infinitival mā combines with a clause to convey a verbal noun. It is neither automatically interrogative nor relative, and it does not itself govern a verb’s mood.

6. Source Qurʾānic Example of Mā

وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ
Translation: And the earth, despite its breadth, became constricted for them.
In the excerpt from 9:118, bimā raḥubat is understood through the verbal noun “its spaciousness.” Mā is followed by a past verb and the two are interpreted together.

7. Parsing Bimā Raḥubat

Bi is a preposition; mā is infinitival; raḥubat is a past verb with feminine tāʾ, whose implied subject refers to the earth. The interpreted verbal noun is genitive in syntactic position after bi.

8. Preposition and Syntactic Position

The preposition governs the syntactic position of the entire interpreted noun, not the ending of the past verb within it. Distinguish grammatical position from word-level inflection.

9. Not Every Mā Is Infinitival

Interrogative mā asks what; negative mā denies; infinitival mā produces an interpreted verbal noun. The spelling alone does not determine function.

10. Distinguishing Relative Mā

In qaraʾtu mā katabta, mā naturally means “what you wrote” and functions as a relative noun, not as an action noun meaning “your writing.”

11. Temporal Infinitival Mā

In the supplemental example, mā dumta expresses duration: “as long as you remain in need.” This is temporal infinitival mā.

12. Parsing Dumta

Dumta is the past defective verb from dāma with tāʾ as its subject. Muḥtājan is its accusative predicate. Together with mā it expresses a duration.

13. The Verse Cited by the Book

يَسُرُّ الْمَرْءَ مَا ذَهَبَ اللَّيَالِي وَكَانَ ذَهَابُهُنَّ لَهُ ذَهَابًا
Translation: The passing of nights pleases a person, though their passing is also a passing away for him.
The poetic witness means that the passing of nights pleases a person, although their passing also marks the passing of that person’s life. Mā dhahaba al-layālī is interpreted as dhahābu al-layālī.

14. Syntactic Position in the Poem

Yasurru is an indicative imperfect; al-marʾa is an object placed before the subject. The interpreted noun mā dhahaba al-layālī is nominative as subject. Al-layālī is subject of dhahaba, with estimated ḍamma.

15. Parsing Kāna in the Poem

Kāna is defective; dhahābuhunna is its nominative subject, with hunna a genitive pronoun; lahu relates to the predicate dhahāban, a direct verbal noun in the accusative.

16. Second Particle: Infinitival An

Light infinitival an normally makes a following imperfect subjunctive. Urīdu an aqraʾa is equivalent in meaning to urīdu al-qirāʾata.

17. Signs After An with Imperfect Verbs

An governs the subjunctive: fatḥa for yaktuba, deletion of nūn for yaktubū, and an estimated fatḥa on the final alif of yasʿā.

18. An Can Also Precede a Past Verb

The source gives an followed by past qālū. An qālū is still interpreted as “their saying”; a past verb is built, so no subjunctive marking appears on it.

19. Source Qurʾānic Example with Past An

فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ قَالُوا
Translation: The response of his people was nothing other than that they said.
At the start of Qurʾān 27:56, an qālū means “their saying.” The preceding mā is negative; the infinitival particle in this example is an.

20. Parsing Jawāba Qawmihi

Fa links; mā negates; kāna is defective; jawāba is its fronted accusative predicate, and qawmihi its genitive complement. An qālū is the delayed nominative subject of kāna.

21. The Two Particles in One Verse

In this verse, mā is negative and an creates an interpreted verbal noun. Their roles remain distinct even though they appear in the same clause.

22. Infinitival Versus Explanatory An

Urīdu an aktuba has subjunctive-governing infinitival an. Wa nādaynāhu an yā Ibrāhīm has explanatory an before a vocative. Context decides the function.

23. An Interpreted Noun as Direct Object

Uḥibbu an ataʿallama means “I like learning.” The entire interpreted noun is accusative as direct object; the imperfect alone is not the whole source construction.

24. An Interpreted Noun as Subject

Sarranī an tanjaḥa is equivalent to sarranī najāḥuka. The interpreted noun is nominative as subject; nī is an object pronoun.

25. An Interpreted Noun as Mubtadaʾ

An taṣduqa khayrun laka becomes ṣidquka khayrun laka. The interpreted noun is nominative as mubtadaʾ; khayrun is its nominative predicate.

26. An Interpreted Noun After a Preposition

Asʿā ilā an anjaḥa means “I strive to succeed.” An anjaḥa is genitive in syntactic position after the preposition ilā.

27. Third Particle: Emphatic Anna

وَأَنَّ لِلْجُمْلَةِ الْاسْمِيَّةِ
Translation: And anna is for a nominal clause.
Anna takes an accusative subject and nominative predicate. ʿAlimtu annaka qāʾimun is interpreted through the verbal noun qiyāmuka (“your standing”).

28. Parsing Annaka Qāʾimun

Anna is a governing particle; ka is its attached accusative subject; qāʾimun is its nominative predicate. The complete group supplies an interpreted noun.

29. The Two-Object Issue with ʿAlima

Since ʿalima belongs to the cognition verbs, the anna clause may fill the positions of both required complements (sadd masadd al-mafʿūlayn). Avoid describing it mechanically as a lone object.

30. A Simpler Example with Anna

Sarranī annaka mujtahidun means “Your diligence pleased me.” The whole anna clause is an interpreted noun in the nominative subject position.

31. Distinguishing Anna from Inna

Inna and anna govern their subjects and predicates similarly, but their hamza vowels and permissible syntactic positions differ. The anna clause can be interpreted as a verbal noun.

32. Light An Versus Emphatic Anna

Light an commonly takes a subjunctive imperfect; emphatic anna takes a subject and predicate. Their phonetic forms and syntactic effects are distinct.

33. A Commentary Qualification

The chapter’s default rule assigns anna to nominal predication. Its commentary notes that reduction or the attachment of mā kāffah allows other clause patterns. This is a qualification, not a replacement of the basic rule.

34. Qualified View on Infinitival Mā

The base text treats infinitival mā with verbal clauses. The commentary reports that some grammarians also allow rare nominal-clause occurrences. Keep the ordinary and exceptional views separate.

35. Other Lists May Be Longer

This book counts three; other grammatical taxonomies also discuss infinitival kay and law. Do not silently change the author’s count.

36. Four Distinct Functions of Mā

Negative mā denies; interrogative mā asks; relative mā means what/that which; infinitival mā forms an interpreted verbal noun. These are separate functions.

37. Three An-Forms in Context

An before a subjunctive is infinitival; an introducing yā is explanatory; anna before a nominal predication governs its accusative subject and nominative predicate.

38. Determining the Clause’s Case Position

Substitute a direct verbal noun, then identify the resulting syntactic slot. The interpreted source may be nominative, accusative, or genitive depending on its position.

39. Error: Every Mā Is Infinitival

Do not label mā infinitival by spelling alone: the first is naturally relative, the second negative, and the third infinitival.

40. Error: Confusing Mood and Syntactic Position

Anjaḥa is subjunctive within the clause; the whole an anjaḥa construction is genitive in syntactic position after ilā. These are different grammatical levels.

41. Error: Expecting Subjunctive on the Past

Qālū is a built past verb and has no subjunctive ending. Nonetheless an qālū forms an interpreted verbal noun.

42. Integrated Practice

In order, the interpreted nouns are nominative as subject, accusative as object, and genitive after a preposition.

43. Chapter in One Review

The chapter lists three particles; mā and light an usually introduce verbal material, whereas anna introduces a predication. The resulting interpreted noun can occupy several case positions. Context distinguishes homographs.

44. Final Self-Test

Check: past verbs are built, ka is anna’s subject and qāʾimun its predicate, and bimā raḥubat is genitive as a whole after bi.

45. What Comes Next

You can now identify an interpreted verbal noun and its syntactic position. Next: the particles of exhortation, which can urge an action or reproach an unperformed past action.

Practice questions

Question 1

How many infinitival particles does the author count?

Two
Five
Three
Seven

Question 2

Which are the three particles in the source?

Hal, a, ay
Mā, an, anna
Min, ilā, ʿan
Lam, lammā, lā

Question 3

How is an interpreted verbal noun recognized?

Try an equivalent explicit verbal noun
Delete every verb
Add tanwīn to all nouns
Treat all particles as prepositions

Question 4

Correct verbal-noun interpretation of urīdu an ataʿallama?

I want teaching
I learned yesterday
I will not learn
I want learning

Question 5

The first two particles principally introduce what?

Only a preposition
Only a vocative
Verbal clause
Always a conditional

Question 6

Function of mā in bimā raḥubat?

Ask a question
Form an interpreted verbal noun
Only negate
Call someone

Question 7

Appropriate interpretation of bimā raḥubat?

Despite its breadth
By asking it
By its departure
By negating it

Question 8

Case position of the interpreted noun in bimā raḥubat?

Nominative subject
Accusative circumstantial
Jussive conditional
Genitive after bi

Question 9

What is raḥubat?

Subjunctive imperfect
Active participle
Past verb
Imperative

Question 10

Why is the whole phrase genitive in position?

Raḥubat has a kasra
A preposition bi precedes it
Mā is vocative
There is a plural visible subject

Question 11

Mā in mā taʿlamu?

Interrogative noun
Infinitival particle
Negation
Jussive marker

Question 12

Mā in mā ḥaḍara Zaydun?

Relative noun
Vocative
Infinitival particle
Negative particle

Question 13

Natural analysis of mā in qaraʾtu mā katabta?

Always infinitival
Necessarily negative
Relative noun: what
Jussive conditional

Question 14

Mā in mā dumta muḥtājan conveys what?

A question only
Duration: as long as
A vocative only
Certain negation

Question 15

Grammatical role of muḥtājan after dumta?

Accusative predicate of dāma
Nominative agent
Preposition
Genitive topic

Question 16

What does mā dhahaba al-layālī mean in the poem?

Asking the nights
Stopping the nights
Absence of nights
The passing of nights

Question 17

Position of mā dhahaba al-layālī in the poem?

Accusative object
Genitive complement
Nominative subject
Accusative specification

Question 18

What is al-marʾa in the poem?

Nominative subject
Accusative direct object
Genitive complement
Exception particle

Question 19

What is dhahābuhunna in the poem?

Nominative subject of kāna
Accusative predicate of kāna
Conjunction
Genitive specification

Question 20

Why is yaktuba subjunctive in an yaktuba?

Governed by bi
From negative mā
From oath lām
Governed by infinitival an

Question 21

Subjunctive sign in an yaktubū?

Adding nūn
Always a kasra
Deletion of nūn
Deletion of wāw

Question 22

How is the subjunctive fatḥa expressed on yasʿā?

Visible on wāw
Estimated on final alif
Visible on nūn
Only on tāʾ

Question 23

What kind of verb is qālū in an qālū?

Past verb
Subjunctive imperfect
Imperative
Active participle

Question 24

Interpreted verbal noun for an qālū?

Their success
Their coming
Their writing
Their saying

Question 25

Role of mā in famā kāna jawāba qawmihi?

Infinitival particle
Question noun
Negative particle
Relative noun

Question 26

Jawāba in the cited Qurʾānic construction?

Nominative subject of kāna
Fronted accusative predicate of kāna
Accusative object of qālū
Accusative circumstantial

Question 27

An qālū in the cited Qurʾānic construction is what?

Nominative as delayed subject of kāna
Accusative circumstantial
Genitive complement
Jussive construction

Question 28

Position of an aqraʾa after urīdu?

Nominative subject
Genitive after preposition
Nominative predicate of kāna
Accusative direct object

Question 29

Position of an tanjaḥa in sarranī an tanjaḥa?

Accusative object
Genitive complement
Nominative subject
Accusative circumstantial

Question 30

What is nī in sarranī?

Subject pronoun
Object pronoun
Preposition
Emphatic nūn

Question 31

Position of an taṣduqa in the sentence?

Nominative mubtadaʾ
Genitive complement
Accusative predicate of kāna
Accusative specification

Question 32

Case/role of khayrun?

Accusative object
Genitive complement
Accusative ḥāl
Nominative predicate

Question 33

Case position of an anjaḥa after ilā?

Nominative subject
Accusative circumstantial
Genitive after preposition
Jussive conditional answer

Question 34

Mood of anjaḥa within ilā an anjaḥa?

Jussive imperfect
Subjunctive imperfect
Indicative imperfect
Past verb

Question 35

Which particle is anna in ʿalimtu annaka qāʾimun?

Emphatic governing particle
Preposition
Vocative
Jussive particle

Question 36

Subject of anna in annaka qāʾimun?

Qāʾimun
The whole predicate
There is no subject
Attached pronoun ka

Question 37

Role of qāʾimun in annaka qāʾimun?

Accusative subject of anna
Preposition
Nominative predicate of anna
Imperative

Question 38

Verbal-noun interpretation of annaka qāʾimun?

Your writing
Your standing
Your saying
Your hearing

Question 39

How should the anna clause be treated with ʿalima?

The clause can fill both object positions
It is only prepositional
Anna makes objects genitive
ʿAlima is an imperative

Question 40

Position of annaka mujtahidun after sarranī?

Accusative object
Genitive after preposition
Accusative circumstantial
Nominative subject

Question 41

Appropriate interpretation of annaka mujtahidun?

Your writing
Your questioning
Your diligence
Your sleeping

Question 42

Main distinction between an aktuba and annaka qāʾimun?

Both are relative nouns
First has a subjunctive imperfect; second a subject and predicate
Both are past verbs
Both are conditionals

Question 43

Hamza vowel in the initial particle inna?

Kasra
Fatḥa
Ḍamma
Sukūn

Question 44

Function of an before yā Ibrāhīm?

Infinitival governor
Conditional
Preposition
Explanatory particle

Question 45

How does the commentary treat nominal clauses after infinitival mā?

Mandatory for everyone
In every verse
A rare permissibility held by some grammarians
Never discussed

Question 46

Which two other particles appear in broader lists?

Min and ilā
Kay and law
Yā and ayā
Naʿam and balā

Question 47

Which statement correctly distinguishes verb mood from clause position?

The verb can be subjunctive while the clause is genitive
Both must always be accusative
Both must be nominative
Past verbs are never built

Question 48

Which chapter follows ḥurūf al-maṣdar?

Vocative particles
Verbs of praise
Comparatives
Particles of exhortation

Question 49

The author counts three infinitival particles.

Question 50

An interpreted verbal noun is always accusative.

Question 51

Mā in bimā raḥubat is infinitival.

Question 52

Bi gives the interpreted noun a genitive position.

Question 53

Mā in “What do you know?” is infinitival.

Question 54

Mā naturally means “what you wrote” in qaraʾtu mā katabta.

Question 55

Mā dumta muḥtājan can convey duration.

Question 56

Al-marʾa is the subject of yasurru in the poem.

Question 57

A subjunctive mark appears on the past qālū.

Question 58

Mā in famā kāna jawāba qawmihi is negative.

Question 59

Jawāba is the fronted predicate of kāna in the cited reading.

Question 60

An tanjaḥa can be subject of sarranī.

Question 61

Khayrun is predicate of the interpreted mubtadaʾ.

Question 62

Ka is the subject of anna in annaka qāʾimun.

Question 63

An has exactly the same function before yā and before aktuba.

Question 64

The author explicitly counts kay and law as the fourth and fifth particles.

Question 65

Emphatic anna governs an accusative subject and nominative predicate.

Question 66

Meaning and syntactic position are separate questions for an interpreted noun.

Open the interactive quiz