Formal classification (mahsub shodan / be shomâr raftan)

To be considered: محسوب شدن

In formal writing, news, or when discussing the properties of things—like the health benefits of a herbal infusion (دمنوش)—you will frequently encounter the compound verb محسوب شدن (to be considered / to be accounted).

Like most Farsi verbs, it is placed at the end of the clause. The noun or adjective that describes the subject sits immediately before it.

To be counted as: به شمار رفتن

Another very common formal phrase with almost the exact same meaning is به شمار رفتن. Literally meaning "to go to count," it translates to "to be counted as" or "to be considered."

This verb is conjugated based on رفتن (to go). In the present tense for a "he/she/it" subject, you will see it as به شمار می‌رود.

Using classification verbs in the Subjunctive

When these formal classifications are paired with words that express doubt or condition, such as شاید (perhaps) or اگر (if), they must shift into the subjunctive mood.

  • For محسوب شدن, the present verb می‌شود drops its می prefix to become شود.
  • For به شمار رفتن, the verb می‌رود swaps its می prefix for the subjunctive ب prefix to become برود.