Question 1

Why is the suffix ـها used in لكنها when referring to buses, which is a plural word?

Accepted Answer

In Arabic, non-human plurals like الحافلات (buses) are grammatically treated as singular feminine. Therefore, the pronoun attached to لكن (but) must be the singular feminine ـها (-haa), and the adjectives describing the buses, بطيئة (slow) and رخيصة (cheap), are also in their singular feminine forms.

Question 2

Since أن makes the following noun accusative, shouldn't الحافلات end with a fatha?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes! However, الحافلات is a sound feminine plural (a plural ending in ـات). A special rule for these words is that they take a kasra (an "i" sound) in the accusative case instead of a fatha. If you read it aloud with full endings, it is pronounced anna al-haafilaati, not anna al-haafilaata.

Question 3

Why do we use أن (anna) here instead of إن (inna)?

Accepted Answer

We use أن (anna) because it acts as a conjunction meaning "that" joining a clause. إن (inna) is generally used at the very beginning of a sentence or immediately after the verb meaning "to say" (قال). Since this clause is introduced by the adjective صحيح (true), أن is the correct grammatical choice.

Question 4

What is the difference between لكن (laakin) and لكنّ (laakinna), and which one is used here in لكنها?

Accepted Answer

Here we are using لكنّ (laakinna), which is one of the "sisters of Inna". It must be followed by a noun in the accusative case or an attached pronoun, which in this case is ـها. The lighter version, لكنْ (laakin), is typically followed by a verb or an independent sentence and cannot take attached pronouns in this way.

صحيح أن الحافلات بطيئة، لكنها رخيصة.

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