Compare the Four Forms

Negation and Time Markers with the Imperfect

Form
Function
How it is written
Example

Without an added marker
Present or future by context
Base imperfect form
يَكْتُبُ

لَا
Usually negates
Separate word
لَا يَكْتُبُ

لَـ
Present-specific in this lesson
Attached to the verb
لَيَكْتُبُ

سَـ / سَوْفَ
Future-specific
سَـ attached; سَوْفَ separate
سَيَنْصُرُ / سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ