Breakdown of كنت سألغي المعاملة.
الal
the
سsa
will (future prefix)
كانkâna
to be
ألغىalghâ
to cancel
معاملةmu'âmalah
transaction (financial)
Questions & Answers about كنت سألغي المعاملة.
Why is the future prefix سـ used after a past tense verb like كنت?
Placing the past tense of كان before a present tense verb normally creates the past continuous ('I was canceling'). Adding the future prefix سـ to that present tense verb shifts the meaning to an intended future action from a past perspective, resulting in 'I was going to cancel' or 'I was about to cancel'.
Why is the present tense verb pronounced with a damma on the first letter (أُلغي) instead of a fatha?
This is a Form IV verb, from the root ل غ ي. In Modern Standard Arabic, the present tense prefix of all Form IV verbs takes a damma. Since this is the first person singular ('I'), the prefix is an alif, making it أُلغي (ulghī). With the future prefix attached, it is pronounced سأُلغي (sa-ulghī).
Does the word المعاملة always mean 'transaction'?
Not always. It is the Form III verbal noun from the root ع م ل (to work/do) and frequently means 'dealing with' or 'treatment' (such as how you treat a person). However, in administrative, official, or financial contexts, it is the standard word for a 'transaction', 'procedure', or piece of 'paperwork'.
What case ending does المعاملة take in this sentence?
It takes the accusative case (mansub) with a fatha at the end, making it المعاملةَ (al-mu'āmala-ta). This is because it is the direct object receiving the action of the verb ألغي ('I cancel').
Learn كنت سألغي المعاملة and more in Arabic
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free