LessonsLevel 31: Doer and Deputy SubjectQuiz

Core definition: The doer is the nominative noun to which an active verb is attributed, while the deputy subject takes its place after a passive verb.
• The doer is nominative.
• In normal verb-first order, the verb commonly remains singular even when the following doer is dual or plural.
• The original doer is omitted in a passive construction.
• The deputy subject is nominative.

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Level 31: Doer and Deputy Subject

Classical Arabic syntax through clear rules and worked examples Read the bilingual lesson for Level 31: Doer and Deputy Subject and test your understanding with a focused quiz.

Lesson

1. Doer and Deputy Subject: Core Idea

Core definition: The doer is the nominative noun to which an active verb is attributed, while the deputy subject takes its place after a passive verb.
• The doer is nominative.
• In normal verb-first order, the verb commonly remains singular even when the following doer is dual or plural.
• The original doer is omitted in a passive construction.
• The deputy subject is nominative.

2. Doer and Deputy Subject: Key Terms

Key terms

Arabic termEnglish meaning
الْفَاعِلُdoer/agent
نَائِبُ الْفَاعِلِdeputy subject
الْمَعْرُوفُactive
الْمَجْهُولُpassive

3. Doer and Deputy Subject: Worked Examples

Example and grammatical analysis

Arabic exampleMeaningGrammatical point
جَاءَ زَيْدٌZayd came.Zayd is the nominative doer.
جَاءَ الرِّجَالُThe men came.The plural doer follows a singular verb in verb-first order.
ضُرِبَ زَيْدٌZayd was struck.Zayd is the deputy subject.
فُتِحَ الْبَابُThe door was opened.The door is the nominative deputy subject.

4. Doer and Deputy Subject: Rules and Distinctions

Keep the rules distinct
• Rule 1: The doer is nominative.
• Rule 2: In normal verb-first order, the verb commonly remains singular even when the following doer is dual or plural.
• Rule 3: The original doer is omitted in a passive construction.
• Rule 4: The deputy subject is nominative.

5. Doer and Deputy Subject: Review and Application

Lesson summary
• The doer is the nominative noun to which an active verb is attributed, while the deputy subject takes its place after a passive verb.
• جَاءَ زَيْدٌ: Zayd is the nominative doer.
• جَاءَ الرِّجَالُ: The plural doer follows a singular verb in verb-first order.
• ضُرِبَ زَيْدٌ: Zayd is the deputy subject.
• فُتِحَ الْبَابُ: The door is the nominative deputy subject.
Next step: Identify the governor, governed word, and case sign separately in each example.

Practice questions

Question 1: Core Idea

Which statement gives the core definition of this lesson?

  • The doer is the nominative noun to which an active verb is attributed, while the deputy subject takes its place after a passive verb.
  • doer/agent
  • deputy subject
  • active

Question 2: Terms and Meanings

Match each Arabic term with its correct meaning.

Question 3: Meaning of the Example

Choose the correct meaning of جَاءَ زَيْدٌ.

  • Zayd was struck.
  • The door was opened.
  • Zayd came.
  • The men came.

Question 4: Rule Check

Is this statement true or false? The doer is nominative.

  • Only with verbs
  • True
  • False
  • Only with nouns

Question 5: Examples and Meanings

Match each Arabic example with its correct meaning.

Question 6: Identify the Term

What is the correct meaning of الْفَاعِلُ?

  • deputy subject
  • active
  • passive
  • doer/agent

Question 7: Grammatical Analysis

Choose the correct grammatical analysis of جَاءَ الرِّجَالُ.

  • Zayd is the deputy subject.
  • The door is the nominative deputy subject.
  • Zayd is the nominative doer.
  • The plural doer follows a singular verb in verb-first order.

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