In Arabic, "if-then" sentences consist of a condition (the "if" part) and a result (the "then" part). Usually, the result clause flows directly from the condition. However, under specific grammatical circumstances, the result clause must begin with the prefix فـ (meaning "then"). This prefix connects the consequence back to the condition.
Here are the most common situations that require attaching فـ to the beginning of the result clause.
Future Actions and Particles
If the result clause begins with a future marker like سـ or سوف (will), or the particle قد (might/has), it must be prefixed with فـ.
| If this volcano is active, then we will see its crater. | إذا كان هذا البركان نشطا، فسوف نرى فوهته.idhâ kâna hâdhâ al-burkânu nashitan, fasawfa narâ fûhatahu. |
| If an earthquake occurs because of the volcano's eruption, then the lava will flow. | إن حدث زلزال بسبب ثوران البركان، فستتدفق الحمم.in hadatha zilzâlun bisababi thawarâni al-burkâni, fasatatadaffaqu al-humamu. |
| Aisha, if you hear the sound of an eruption, then the volcano might spew ash. | يا عائشة، إذا سمعت صوت ثوران، فقد يقذف البركان رمادا.yâ â'ishah, idhâ sami'ti sawta thawarânin, faqad yaqdhifu al-burkânu ramâdâ |
Commands and Requests
Whenever the result of your conditional sentence is an imperative (giving a command) or a prohibition (telling someone not to do something), attach فـ to the verb.
| Tariq, if the volcano's eruption starts, then flee quickly! | يا طارق، إن بدأ ثوران البركان، فاهرب بسرعة!yâ târiqu, in bada'a thawarânu l-burkâni, fahrub bisur'atin! |
| If you see the magma, then do not approach the crater. | إذا رأيت الصهارة، فلا تقتربي من الفوهة.idhâ ra'ayti as-suhârata, falâ taqtaribî min al-fûhati |
Nominal Sentences
If the result clause is a nominal sentence—meaning it begins with a noun or pronoun rather than a verb—it is mandatory to introduce it with فـ.
| If the crater spews ash, then the air is very dangerous. | إذا قذفت الفوهة رمادا، فالهواء خطير جدا.idhâ qadhafati l-fûhatu ramâdan, fal-hawâ'u khatîrun jiddan. |
| If the volcano increases in pressure, then the disaster is near. | إذا ازداد البركان ضغطا، فالكارثة قريبة.idhâ izdâda al-burkânu daghtan, falkârithatu qarîbatun. |
Negation and Special Verbs
You must also use فـ when the result is negated with particles like لن (will not) or لا (no/not). Similarly, if the result clause relies on an inflexible verb like عسى (perhaps/might), the فـ is required.
| If the volcano is not active, then it will not spew lava or ash. | إن لم يكن البركان نشطا، فلن يقذف حمما أو رمادا.in lam yakuni l-burkânu nashitan, falan yaqdhifa humaman aw ramâdan. |
| If the volcano is active, then perhaps we might avoid the eruption. | إن كان البركان نشطا، فعسى أن نتجنب الثوران.in kâna al-burkânu nashitan, fa'asâ an natajannaba ath-thawarâna. |
