كَانَ زَيْدٌ ... still invites “Zayd was what?”
كَانَ زَيْدٌ مَرِيضًا completes the statement: Zayd was ill.
The term incomplete verb describes this predicative use, requiring a khabar in addition to an ism. It does not deny that kāna can have other uses elsewhere.
Opening interactive controls...
The Ism of Kāna and Its Sisters
كَانَ زَيْدٌ ... still invites “Zayd was what?”
كَانَ زَيْدٌ مَرِيضًا completes the statement: Zayd was ill.
The term incomplete verb describes this predicative use, requiring a khabar in addition to an ism. It does not deny that kāna can have other uses elsewhere.