Learn Arabic (Modern Standard): يحاول الطالب أن يقرأ الكتاب.

In Arabic, you cannot put two verbs directly next to each other to say "tries to read". You must use أن (meaning "to" or "that") to connect the main verb يحاول (tries) with the action verb يقرأ (reads).

Why does the second verb يقرأ literally mean "he reads" instead of just the infinitive "read"?

When using أن, the verb that follows it must be a present tense verb that matches the person doing the action. Since "the student" is doing the action, we must use يقرأ ("he reads") to match the first verb. Literally, the sentence is structured as "The student tries that he reads the book."

Does the word أن change how the second verb is pronounced?

Yes! The word أن causes a small vowel change at the very end of the verb right after it. Instead of the standard "u" sound at the end of a regular present tense verb, it changes to an "a" sound. So, instead of "yaqra'u", it is pronounced "yaqra'a".

Why is the student (الطالب) placed between the two verbs?

This is a great reminder of Arabic word order! Formal Arabic usually follows a Verb-Subject-Object structure. We start with the main action يحاول (tries), then state the subject doing the trying, الطالب (the student), and finally add the rest of the sentence explaining what he is trying to do.