LessonsUsing Phrases in the Nominal SentenceQuiz

● In this section, we will learn how phrases can replace the single-word subjects and predicates studied so far in nominal sentences.
● We will learn that the subject, the predicate, or both may be phrases at the same time.
● We will make sentences using adjectival phrases and iḍāfah constructions as subjects and predicates.
● We will study the grammar, structure, and spelling of three major examples in detail.

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Using Phrases in the Nominal Sentence

Read the bilingual lesson for Using Phrases in the Nominal Sentence and test your understanding with a focused quiz.

Lesson

1. What Will We Learn in This Section?

● In this section, we will learn how phrases can replace the single-word subjects and predicates studied so far in nominal sentences.
● We will learn that the subject, the predicate, or both may be phrases at the same time.
● We will make sentences using adjectival phrases and iḍāfah constructions as subjects and predicates.
● We will study the grammar, structure, and spelling of three major examples in detail.

2. When the Subject or Predicate Is a Phrase

● In the nominal-sentence examples studied so far, the subject and predicate were single nouns, as in زَيْدٌ صَالِحٌ.
● Arabic expressions are not always like this:
○ Sometimes the subject is a phrase and the predicate is a single word.
○ Sometimes the subject is a single word and the predicate is a phrase.
○ Sometimes both the subject and predicate are phrases.
● The translation method remains the same: first identify the subject and predicate, then translate according to the grammar.

3. First Form: The Tall Man Is Righteous

● Let us analyse the grammar and structure of The tall man is righteous.
○ Subject: The tall man. This is an adjectival phrase; both the noun and adjective are definite with al- and nominative: اَلرَّجُلُ الطَّوِيلُ.
○ Predicate: Is righteous. This is a single indefinite nominative noun: صَالِحٌ.
● The complete sentence is اَلرَّجُلُ الطَّوِيلُ صَالِحٌ.
● Here, the subject is an adjectival phrase and the predicate is a single word.

4. Second Form: The Qur'an Is the Speech of Allah

● Let us analyse the grammar of The Qur'an is the Speech of Allah.
○ Subject: The Qur'an. This is a definite singular nominative noun: اَلْقُرْآنُ.
○ Predicate: The Speech of Allah. This is an iḍāfah; the muḍāf has no al- and a light ending, and the muḍāf ilayh is genitive: كَلَامُ اللهِ.
● The complete sentence is اَلْقُرْآنُ كَلَامُ اللهِ.
● Here, the subject is a single word and the predicate is an iḍāfah.

5. Third Form: Obedience to the Messenger Is Obedience to Allah

● Let us study the structure of the sentence Obedience to the Messenger is obedience to Allah.
○ Subject: Obedience to the Messenger. This is an iḍāfah: إِطَاعَةُ الرَّسُولِ.
○ Predicate: Obedience to Allah. This is also an iḍāfah: إِطَاعَةُ اللهِ.
● The complete sentence is إِطَاعَةُ الرَّسُولِ إِطَاعَةُ اللهِ.
● Here, both the subject and predicate are iḍāfah constructions.

Practice questions

Question 1

In the nominal sentence اَلْقُرْآنُ كَلَامُ اللهِ, 'The Qur'an is the Speech of Allah,' what are the grammatical types of the subject and predicate?

  • The subject is a single word, and the predicate is an iḍāfah
  • The subject is an adjectival phrase, and the predicate is a single word
  • Both the subject and predicate are adjectival phrases

Question 2

In اَلرَّجُلُ الطَّوِيلُ صَالِحٌ, اَلرَّجُلُ الطَّوِيلُ is the subject and is structurally an adjectival phrase.

  • True
  • False

Question 3

The tall man is righteous

Question 4

The Qur'an is the Speech of Allah

Question 5

Obedience to the Messenger is obedience to Allah

Question 6

Match the following sentences according to the grammatical types of their subjects and predicates:

Question 7

Sort the following compound sentences according to whether their subject is a single word or a phrase:

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