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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