Elementary Arabic Syntax 1

Incohatives and Predicates

  1. What is a inchoative and what is a predicate?
    A inchoative and a predicate are nouns that make up a complete sentence. For example:
    المومنُونَ صادِقُونَ (The believers are truthful.)

  2. How many kinds of predicates are there?
    There are three kinds of predicates:
    • Single word: الصّمتُ زینٌ (Silence is beautiful.)

• Sentence (both nominal and verbal)

• Prepositional phrase (which is either comprised of an adverb of time or place or a word preceded by a jar preposition (which will be explained later): الحیّةُ تَحتَ العُشب (The snake is in the grass.)

  1. What is a sentence comprised of a inchoative and a predicate called?
    A sentence comprised of a inchoative and a predicate is called a nominative sentence.