Questions & Answers about بدت السماء رمادية.
Why does the verb بدت have a feminine ending when السماء (the sky) doesn't look feminine?
In Arabic, السماء is one of a few nouns that are naturally feminine despite not ending in a taa marbouta (ـة). Because the subject is feminine, the verb must also take the feminine past tense ending ـت.
What is the base form of the verb بدت, and why is the long vowel missing?
The base masculine form (he/it seemed) is بدا. When we add the feminine ending ـت to a verb ending in a long vowel like alif, Arabic drops the long vowel so two tricky sounds do not clash. Instead of badaat, the word shrinks to بدت (badat).
Why does the word for gray, رمادية, have a feminine ending here?
It is describing السماء. Since السماء is treated as a feminine noun, any word describing its state must match by adding the feminine taa marbouta (ـة).
If I were pronouncing the full case endings, what would the ending on رمادية be?
It would be pronounced ramadiyyatan with a double fatha (tanween fath). This is because it describes the state or condition of the sky at the time it appeared. Words that describe a temporary state (known as the hal) always take the accusative case.