Curriculum

Lesson 8: Future Tense and Verb Forms

1. Formation of the Future Tense

The future tense in Arabic is used to describe actions that will happen. It is formed by using a prefix with the imperfect (present) tense of the verb.

1.1 Basic Structure

Prefix: The most common prefix for the future tense is سـ (sa-) or سوف (sawfa).
- سـ (sa-) is used with the imperfect verb to indicate the near future.
- سوف (sawfa) is used to indicate the future but often with a slightly more formal or distant sense.
Imperfect Verb Form: Combine the prefix with the base form of the verb in the present tense.

Example:

يكتب (yaktub) – “He writes”
- سـ يكتب (sa-yaktub) – “He will write”
- سوف يكتب (sawfa yaktub) – “He will write”

1.2 Future Tense Conjugation

Using the verb يكتب (yaktub) – “to write”:

Subject Pronoun	Prefix + Imperfect Form	English
أنا	سأكتب	I will write
أنتَ	ستكتب	You (m.) will write
أنتِ	ستكتبين	You (f.) will write
هو	سيكتب	He will write
هي	ستكتب	She will write
نحن	سنكتب	We will write
أنتم	ستكتبون	You (m. pl.) will write
أنتن	ستكتبنَّ	You (f. pl.) will write
هم	سيكتبون	They (m.) will write
هن	سيكتبنَّ	They (f.) will write

2. Common Verb Forms (Form I to Form X)

Arabic verbs are categorized into different forms, each with specific patterns that modify the meaning of the root verb. Here’s an overview of the first ten common verb forms:

2.1 Form I: Basic Form (الفعل المجرد)

Pattern: فَعَلَ (fa‘ala)
Meaning: Basic action
Example: كتب (kataba) – “to write”

2.2 Form II: Causative/Intensive (الفعل المزيد فيه بحرف)

Pattern: فَعَّلَ (fa‘‘ala)
Meaning: Causing an action or intensifying it
Example: درّس (darrasa) – “to teach”

2.3 Form III: Reciprocal/Interactive (المفاعلة)

Pattern: فَاعَلَ (faa‘ala)
Meaning: Interaction or reciprocal action
Example: كاتب (kaataba) – “to correspond”

2.4 Form IV: Causative (الإفعال)

Pattern: أَفْعَلَ (af‘ala)
Meaning: Direct causation
Example: أكرم (akram) – “to honor”

2.5 Form V: Reflexive of Form II (التفعل)

Pattern: تَفَعَّلَ (tafa‘‘ala)
Meaning: Reflexive or repetitive action of Form II
Example: تعلّم (ta‘allama) – “to learn”

2.6 Form VI: Reciprocal Reflexive (التفعل)

Pattern: تَفَاعَلَ (tafa‘aala)
Meaning: Reciprocal action
Example: تعاون (ta‘aawana) – “to cooperate”

2.7 Form VII: Passive (انفعل)

Pattern: انفَعَلَ (infa‘ala)
Meaning: Passive form of the basic action
Example: انكسر (inkasara) – “to be broken”

2.8 Form VIII: Reflexive (افتعل)

Pattern: افْتَعَلَ (ifta‘ala)
Meaning: Reflexive action
Example: افتتح (iftaḥa) – “to open (itself)”

2.9 Form IX: Color/Defect (افعل)

Pattern: افْعَلَّ (if‘alla)
Meaning: Describing color or defect
Example: احمرّ (aḥmarra) – “to turn red”

2.10 Form X: Seeking/Requesting (استفعل)

Pattern: استفْعَلَ (ista‘fala)
Meaning: Seeking or requesting
Example: استعلم (ista‘lama) – “to inquire”

3. Example Conjugations and Practice

3.1 Future Tense for Various Forms

Using كتب (kataba) and its various forms:

Form I: سـ يكتب (sa-yaktub) – “He will write”
Form II: سـ يدرّس (sa-yudarris) – “He will teach”
Form III: سـ يكاتب (sa-yukaatib) – “He will correspond”
Form IV: سـ يكرم (sa-yukrim) – “He will honor”
Form V: سـ يتعلّم (sa-yata‘allam) – “He will learn”
Form VI: سـ يتعاون (sa-yata‘aawanu) – “He will cooperate”
Form VII: سـ ينكسر (sa-yankasir) – “He will be broken”
Form VIII: سـ يفتتح (sa-yuftahi) – “He will open (itself)”
Form IX: سـ يحمرّ (sa-yahmarr) – “He will turn red”
Form X: سـ يستعلم (sa-yasta‘lim) – “He will inquire”

3.2 Practice Sentences

أنا سأكتب رسالة. (ana sa’aktubu risaalah) – “I will write a letter.”
أنتِ ستدرّسين في الجامعة. (anti satarasaleen fi al-jaami‘ah) – “You (f.) will teach at the university.”
هو سيتعاون معنا. (huwa sayata‘aawanu ma‘na) – “He will cooperate with us.”
نحن سنفتتح مطعماً جديداً. (naḥnu saniftaḥu maṭ‘aman jadiidan) – “We will open a new restaurant.”
هم سيستعلمون عن الدروس. (hum sayasta‘limuuna ‘an ad-duruus) – “They will inquire about the lessons.”

4. Practice Exercises

4.1 Future Tense Conjugation

Conjugate the verb ذهب (dhahaba) – “to go” in the future tense for all subject pronouns.
Conjugate the verb شرب (shariba) – “to drink” for the feminine singular and plural forms in the future tense.

4.2 Verb Forms Practice

Identify and conjugate verbs from Form I to Form X using the root د ر س (d-r-s) – “to study.”
Write sentences using verbs in different forms and tenses.

4.3 Translation Exercise

Translate the following sentences into Arabic using the future tense and different verb forms:
- “She will ask questions.”
- “They (f.) will cooperate with each other.”
- “I will read the book tomorrow.”

5. Homework and Practice

Verb Form Chart: Create a chart illustrating the common verb forms (Form I to Form X) with examples.
Future Tense Sentences: Write ten sentences using different verbs and subject pronouns in the future tense.
Listening Practice: Listen to Arabic conversations or watch Arabic TV shows and identify the future tense verbs used.