Question 1

How does the negation work here with ما and the prefix بـ?

Accepted Answer

In this sentence, ما is the Hijazi ma, which acts grammatically like ليس (is not). When used this way, it often takes the redundant preposition بـ attached to its predicate (the thing being denied) to make the negation much more emphatic.

Question 2

Why is the predicate افتراء in the genitive case?

Accepted Answer

Because of the redundant preposition بـ attached to it to form بافتراء. Even though it serves as the predicate of ما (which normally takes the accusative case, just like the predicate of ليس), the physical presence of the preposition forces the noun into the genitive case (majrur).

Question 3

Could we drop the بـ and still have a correct sentence?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you remove the emphatic بـ, the sentence would be ما هذه النميمة الخبيثة افتراءً, with the predicate taking the accusative case (mansub) since the Hijazi ما acts just like ليس. The بـ is strictly there to add strong emphasis.

Question 4

Why do both النميمة and الخبيثة take the nominative case?

Accepted Answer

The demonstrative pronoun هذه is the subject of the negating ما, putting it in a nominative position. The word النميمة is a substitution (badal) for the pronoun, and الخبيثة is an adjective modifying it. Because they grammatically follow هذه, they both copy its nominative status and take a damma.

Question 5

What is the exact difference in meaning between نميمة and افتراء here?

Accepted Answer

This sentence contrasts two specific terms. نميمة refers to malicious gossip or spreading secrets (which might actually be true), whereas افتراء means a complete fabrication or lie. The speaker is admitting the talk is nasty gossip, but strongly denying that it is completely made up.

ما هذه النميمة الخبيثة بافتراء.

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