LessonsIsm al-Tafḍīl: Meaning, Eight Forms, Patterns and UseQuiz

To analyse an ism al-tafḍīl, identify three things together: the quality expressed to a greater degree, the three root radicals, and which of the eight paradigm patterns appears.

Word / formMeaning / explanation
أَعْلَمُmore knowledgeable, masculine singular afʿal.
أَعْلَمُونَmasculine sound plural.
كُبْرَىgreater, feminine singular fuʿlā.
أَضَارِبُmasculine broken plural afāʿil.

Different roots give different qualities, while the formal pattern gives gender and number. The next chapter turns to ism al-ẓarf, naming the time or place of an action.

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Integrating meaning, root and pattern

Ism al-Tafḍīl: Meaning, Eight Forms, Patterns and Use

To analyse an ism al-tafḍīl, identify three things together: the quality expressed to a greater degree, the three root radicals, and which of the eight paradigm patterns appears.

Word / formMeaning / explanation
أَعْلَمُmore knowledgeable, masculine singular afʿal.
أَعْلَمُونَmasculine sound plural.
كُبْرَىgreater, feminine singular fuʿlā.
أَضَارِبُmasculine broken plural afāʿil.

Different roots give different qualities, while the formal pattern gives gender and number. The next chapter turns to ism al-ẓarf, naming the time or place of an action.