Question 1

Why is the verb تزهر in the subjunctive mood here?

Accepted Answer

The verb تزهر (blooms) is preceded by the prefix فـ (fa). In this context, it is the 'fa of causality' (Faa' al-Sababiyyah), meaning 'so that' or 'with the result that'. This particle forces the following present tense verb into the subjunctive mood, meaning it takes a fatha on its final letter.

Question 2

Doesn't the prefix فـ usually just mean 'and then'? How do I know it is Faa' al-Sababiyyah here?

Accepted Answer

Yes, فـ often acts as a simple conjunction. However, Faa' al-Sababiyyah has a strict rule: it must be preceded by a request, a command, or a negation. Because this sentence starts with the imperative command أضيفوا (Add!), the فـ that follows signals the intended result of that command, allowing it to act as Faa' al-Sababiyyah.

Question 3

Why does the command أضيفوا have a visible hamza on its starting alif?

Accepted Answer

Most imperative verbs start with a connectable alif (Hamzat Wasl) that has no written hamza above or below it. However, أضيفوا comes from the Form IV verb أضاف (to add). Form IV is the major exception to this rule: all of its forms, including the imperative, use a hard, pronounceable hamza (Hamzat Qat').

Question 4

Just as a refresher, why is there an extra alif at the end of سمادا?

Accepted Answer

The word سماد (fertilizer) is the direct object of the verb أضيفوا, meaning it is in the accusative case. Because it is an indefinite noun, it takes the 'tanween fatha' ending. In Arabic spelling, an indefinite accusative noun requires an extra, silent alif at the end of the word to carry that sound.

أضيفوا سمادا إلى التربة فتزهر الحديقة.

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