Definition of Verbs of Approximation
Verbs of approximation are considered defective verbs that introduce a nominal sentence. They negate the ruling of the subject, meaning that what was initially in the nominative case has now transformed into the subject of the verbs of approximation. Since these verbs are defective, they require not just a subject but also a required accusative complement. The primary verbs of approximation include: kād, ūshiq, and karaba.
Reason for the Name “Verbs of Approximation”
The term “verbs of approximation” is derived from their meaning of indicating a near occurrence of the news. For instance, when we say: “kād al-lājī’ūn ya‘ūdūn li-diyārihim”, it implies that they have not returned yet, but their return is imminent. Similarly, the phrase “ūshiqat al-samā’ an tamṭira” indicates that it has not yet rained, but rain is about to fall. Furthermore, in the statement “kariba al-naṣr an yaq‘a”, it shows that victory has not been achieved yet, but it is close at hand.
Conditions for the Application of Verbs of Approximation
For verbs of approximation to be effective, the complement must be in the form of a verbal sentence, with its predicate being a present tense verb that is preceded by the particle an, which serves as a source indicator. The verb ūshiq is frequently used in conjunction with an, while the verbs kād and karaba are less commonly paired with it. Additionally, the verbs kād and ūshiq can appear in both the past and present tense, whereas karaba is restricted to the past tense only.
Examples of Verbs of Approximation with Grammar Analysis
Below are examples of verbs of approximation, accompanied by their grammatical breakdown:
- Kād al-ṭālib yarbis.
Kād: a past defective verb, built on the opening sound.
Al-ṭālib: the subject of kād, in the nominative case, marked by the apparent damma at the end.
Yarbis: an unmarked present tense verb, with the subject implied and understood as “he,” and the verbal clause serving as the accusative complement for kād.
- Takādu al-muḥāḍara an tabda.
Takādu: a present tense defective verb, marked in the nominative case with an apparent damma.
Al-muḥāḍara: the subject of takādu, in the nominative case, marked by the apparent damma.
An: a source indicator and accusative particle, not marking any grammatical position.
Tabda: a present tense accusative verb, marked by the opening sound and with the subject implied as “it,” while the verbal clause serves as the accusative complement for takādu.
- Ūshiq al-muslimūn an yanhazimū.
Ūshiq: a past defective verb, built on the opening sound.
Al-muslimūn: the subject of ūshiq, in the nominative case, recognized by the “ū” due to it being a plural masculine noun.
An: a source indicator and accusative particle, not marking any grammatical position.
Yanhazimū: a present tense accusative verb, with the “nū” omitted (as it is one of the five verbs), and the “ū” is a connected pronoun in the nominative case serving as the subject, while the compound source serves as the accusative complement for ūshiq.
- Kariba al-marīḍān yamūtān.
Kariba: a past defective verb, built on the opening sound.
Al-marīḍān: the subject of kariba, in the nominative case marked by the “ā” for dual nouns.
Yamūtān: a present tense verb in the nominative case marked by the retention of “nū” (for the five verbs), with the “ā” representing a connected pronoun serving as the subject, while the compound source serves as the accusative complement for kariba.