Question 1

Since خلا isn't preceded by ما, what case ending does السمك take here?

Accepted Answer

It can actually take one of two cases! Because خلا appears bare (without ما), it can be treated either as a past tense verb, which puts السمك in the accusative case (السمكَ), or as a preposition, which puts it in the genitive case (السمكِ). Both are perfectly correct.

Question 2

If I wanted to say ما خلا السمك, how would that change the grammar?

Accepted Answer

Adding ما turns خلا strictly into a verb. Because prepositions cannot follow ما, you lose the choice of case. السمك would have to be the direct object of that verb, so it must take the accusative case (السمكَ).

Question 3

How does the combination كانت سوف تأكل work to mean 'she was going to eat'?

Accepted Answer

This structure expresses the 'future in the past.' You take the past tense of 'to be' (كانت) and follow it with a standard future-tense phrase: the future particle سوف plus the present tense verb تأكل. Together, they literally mean 'she was (in a state where she) will eat.'

Question 4

Why does كل take an accusative ending here, while الطعام is genitive?

Accepted Answer

كل is the direct object of the verb تأكل (she eats), so it takes the accusative case (كلَّ). The word following كل always forms an Idafa (genitive construct) with it, which forces الطعام into the genitive case (الطعامِ).

Question 5

Is البحري part of the Idafa with كل الطعام?

Accepted Answer

No, البحري is an adjective meaning 'marine' or 'sea-related', describing الطعام. It matches الطعام in definiteness (both have ال) and in case. Since الطعام is genitive due to the Idafa, البحري also takes the genitive case (البحريِّ).

كانت سوف تأكل كل الطعام البحري خلا السمك.

Breakdown of كانت سوف تأكل كل الطعام البحري خلا السمك.

Questions & Answers about كانت سوف تأكل كل الطعام البحري خلا السمك.

Learn كانت سوف تأكل كل الطعام البحري خلا السمك and more in Arabic