Optional grammar reference

Kana: describe a past state

Keep the topic nominative; change the predicate.

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How it works

كان and its sisters leave the noun nominative and make a simple adjectival predicate accusative.

A predicate can also be a phrase or clause; it is not always one visible accusative word.

Check your understanding

1 / 4

Choose the matching meaning.

كَانَ الْبَابُ مَفْتُوحًا

Choose one answer.

Make it yours

Put “the room is clean” into the past.

Optional: save a written answer

Your practice notes or Arabic answer

Compare with a model

كَانَتِ الْغُرْفَةُ نَظِيفَةً. Compare الْغُرْفَةُ نَظِيفَةٌ.

I practised aloud and compared my answer.

Finish the check and your practice task to complete this lesson.

Sources & learning notes

Lesson explanations and exercises are written for knowmyquran. Recorded examples are adapted from the linked open Arabic textbooks. The course teaches Modern Standard Arabic; the stages describe content, rather than a proficiency certificate.

Grammar reference: Madinah Arabic grammar course. Additional written examples are site-authored.