Question 1

Why is râ placed right after ahrom-i and before ke?

Accepted Answer

When a noun modified by a relative clause is the direct object of the main verb, the object marker râ attaches directly to the noun and its restrictive -i suffix, immediately before ke. Here, ahrom-i râ signals that the lever is the direct object of the main verb ta'mir konam (I repair).

Question 2

Doesn't the -i on ahrom-i make it indefinite ('a lever')? If so, why is it followed by the definite marker râ?

Accepted Answer

This is the restrictive -i, not the indefinite -i. It acts as an anchor for the relative clause, pointing ahead to the specific description. Because it singles out 'the specific lever that you broke,' the noun is conceptually definite and therefore requires the definite object marker râ.

Question 3

Why is the main verb ta'mir konam in the subjunctive mood?

Accepted Answer

The sentence is introduced by the impersonal phrase momken ast ke (it is possible that). Expressions of possibility, doubt, or necessity always trigger the subjunctive mood in the dependent clause that follows.

Question 4

Why is shekasti (you broke) in the simple past tense when the rest of the sentence talks about a future possibility?

Accepted Answer

The relative clause describes a factual event that has already occurred: you broke the lever in the past. Relative clauses use whatever tense accurately describes their own timeline, completely independent of the subjunctive mood triggered in the main clause by momken ast ke.

ممکن است که اهرمی را که شکستی، تعمیر کنم.

Breakdown of ممکن است که اهرمی را که شکستی، تعمیر کنم.

Questions & Answers about ممکن است که اهرمی را که شکستی، تعمیر کنم.

Learn ممکن است که اهرمی را که شکستی، تعمیر کنم and more in Farsi