Introducing Form III Verbs
Form III verbs are created by adding a long Alif (ا) immediately after the first letter of a basic three-letter root.
These verbs usually carry an interactive meaning, indicating an action done with or to someone else. Because they emphasize mutual involvement, you will frequently see Form III verbs in contexts involving diplomacy, dialogue, and international relations.
In the past tense, a Form III verb follows the pattern فاعَلَ.
| The ambassador negotiated with the delegation in the embassy. | فاوض السفير الوفد في السفارة.fâwada as-safîru al-wafda fî as-sifârati. |
| The ambassador dialogued with the minister of state in the palace. | حاور السفير وزير الدولة في القصر.hâwara as-safîru wazîra ad-dawlati fi al-qasri |
Present Tense of Form III
In the present tense, Form III verbs follow the pattern يُفاعِلُ.
Similar to Form II verbs, there are two important vowel patterns to remember for the present tense:
- The present tense prefix (ي، ت، أ، ن) takes a damma ( ُ ).
- The middle root letter takes a kasra ( ِ ).
| Tense | Pattern | Example (he negotiates) |
|---|---|---|
| Past | فاعَلَ | فاوَضَ |
| Present | يُفاعِلُ | يُفاوِضُ |
| The ambassador corresponds with the president of the state every day. | يراسل السفير رئيس الدولة كل يوم.yurâsilu assafîru ra'îsa addawlati kulla yawmin. |
| The minister negotiates with the state's delegation. | يفاوض الوزير وفد الدولة.yufâwidu l-wazîru wafda d-dawlati |
Interaction and Other Pronouns
Because Form III verbs inherently involve another party, they typically take a direct object representing the person or group being interacted with.
To conjugate for different subjects, simply attach the standard past or present prefixes and suffixes to the Form III stem.
| Did the embassy face a problem with the delegation? | هل واجهت السفارة مشكلة مع الوفد؟hal wâjahati s-sifâratu mushkilatan ma'a l-wafdi? |
| We are dialoguing with the delegation about the relationship of the two countries. | نحن نحاور الوفد عن علاقة البلدين.naḥnu nuḥâwiru alwafda 'an 'alâqati albaladayn |
