1. Introduction to Present Tense Conjugation

The present tense in Arabic is used to describe actions that are currently happening or general truths. Conjugating verbs in the present tense involves adding specific prefixes and sometimes suffixes to the root of the verb, depending on the subject.

1.1 The Basic Structure

• In Arabic, the present tense conjugation is built around the imperfect stem.
• The present tense uses specific prefixes that change depending on the subject pronoun (I, you, he, she, we, they, etc.).
• Unlike English, Arabic does not use the verb “to be” in the present tense for nominal sentences (i.e., sentences without a verb).

2. Regular Verbs (الفعل الثلاثي المجرد)

Regular verbs in Arabic follow predictable patterns and are usually derived from triliteral (three-letter) roots. In this section, we’ll focus on الفعل الثلاثي المجرد (the basic form of triliteral verbs).

2.1 Present Tense Conjugation for Regular Verbs

Using the root ك ت ب (k-t-b), which relates to writing, the verb يكتب (yaktub) means “he writes” or “he is writing.”

2.2 Prefixes and Suffixes

• Prefixes are attached to the beginning of the verb stem and indicate the subject and the tense.
• Suffixes may be added for feminine forms and plural forms.

Prefixes:

• أ (a) for “I” (أنا)
• ت (ta) for “you (m. singular)” (أنتَ) and “she” (هي)
• تـ … ين (ta…iin) for “you (f. singular)” (أنتِ)
• ي (ya) for “he” (هو)
• ن (na) for “we” (نحن)
• تـ … ون (ta…uun) for “you (m. plural)” (أنتم)
• تـ … نَّ (ta…na) for “you (f. plural)” (أنتن)
• يـ … ون (ya…uun) for “they (m. plural)” (هم)
• يـ … نَّ (ya…na) for “they (f. plural)” (هن)

3. Example Conjugations and Practice

Using the verb شَرِبَ (shariba) meaning “to drink”:

3.1 Practice Sentences

• أنا أكتب رسالة. (ana aktubu risaalah) – “I am writing a letter.”
• أنتِ تدرسين اللغة العربية. (anti tadruseen al-lughah al-‘arabiyyah) – “You (f.) are studying the Arabic language.”
• هو يأكل الطعام. (huwa ya’kulu al-ṭa‘aam) – “He is eating the food.”
• نحن نقرأ الكتاب. (naḥnu naqra’u al-kitaab) – “We are reading the book.”
• هم يذهبون إلى المدرسة. (hum yadhhaboona ila al-madrasah) – “They (m.) are going to school.”

4. Practice Exercises

4.1 Conjugation Practice

• Conjugate the verb يعمل (ya‘mal) – “to work” for all subject pronouns.
• Conjugate the verb يقرأ (yaqra’) – “to read” for the feminine singular and plural forms.

4.2 Sentence Formation

• Create sentences using the following verbs in the present tense:
  • يلعب (yal‘ab) – “to play”
  • تكتب (taktub) – “to write”
  • ينام (yanaam) – “to sleep”

4.3 Translation Exercise

• Translate the following sentences into Arabic:
  • “She writes every day.”
  • “You (m.) drink tea.”
  • “We are playing football.”

5. Homework and Practice

• Conjugation Tables: Create conjugation tables for five new verbs in the present tense.
• Sentence Creation: Write ten sentences using different subject pronouns and verbs in the present tense.
• Speaking Practice: Practice pronouncing the present tense conjugations aloud.