Elementary Arabic Syntax 2

Compliments to Prefixed Nouns

  1. What is a compliment to a prefixed noun?
    A compliment to a prefixed noun is a noun that is related to the noun before it. For example:
    خادم الأمیر (The commander's servant).

  2. What is the rule regarding a prefixed noun if it has the alif-lām suffix?
    The alif-lām suffix is erased from prefixed nouns. For example: کتابُ المعلّم (The teacher's book).

  3. What is the rule regarding a prefixed noun if it is has nunation?
    The nunation is erased from prefixed nouns. For example: سورُ المدینة (The city's wall).

  4. What is the rule regarding a prefixed noun if it is in the dual form or a sound masculine plural?
    The nūn is erased prefixed nouns if it is in the dual or sound masculine plural forms. For example: یَدا الرَّجُل (The man's two hands).

  5. When is it permissible to add the alif-lām suffix to a prefixed noun?
    It is permissible to add the alif-lām suffix to a prefixed noun if it is an adjective (active participles, passive participles, adjectives that are similar to verbs, comparatives, and superlatives) in the dual or sound masculine plural form. For example: الفاتحا دمشقَ خالدٌ و أبو عُبیدةَ (The two conquerors of Damascus are Khālid and Abū ‛Ubaydah.) Or, if the prefixed noun is an adjective and the compliment to the prefixed noun is made definite by the alif-lām suffix, for example:
    المتَّبع الحقِّ منصورٌ (He who follows the truth will be helped.)