Arabic and English Sentence Patterns: A Comparative Guide

62 | P a g e 22 Of the four most common methods of describing the Arabic perfect and imperfect, this seems the most appropriate. For a summary discussion of methods, see Binnick, Time 434-9; Comrie, Aspect 78-81. The fact that “the great majority of Arabic verbs are aspectually ambivalent” (Beeston, Arabic 67-8) can be viewed as liberating or restricting (Wright, Grammar (1967) 51). 23 Another reason for using English as a starting point in the charts: we often lack the “sentence sense” necessary to understand consistently the Arabic context. Kolln, Rhetorical Grammar 4-5. 24 The parentheticals are intended as general examples only since moods have multiple functions. Unlike some other Germanic languages, English has no jussive mood. Its use in Arabic is primarily formal (see p. 17). 25 For a related discussion, see F. R. Palmer, Mood and Modality, Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics (Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1986) 21- 23. 26 Although the infinitive is sometimes referred to as a mood, it generally functions as a noun rather than as a verb, so form is perhaps a better designation than mood . See Ernest N. McCarus, English Grammar for Students of Arabic , (Ann Arbor, Michigan: The Olivia and Hill Press, 2007) 93. 27 Although still used in certain texts (e.g., Mt. 6:9-10 in The Bible ), this structure is generally considered archaic. Modern usage employs a direct, second-person imperative such as: أُطْﻠُﺐْ ﻣِﻨْﮫُ أَنْ ﺗَﻐْﻠِﻖَ اﻟﺒﺎبَ. 28 Unless it is used to indicate lack of certainty with could replacing the more usual might . 29 DeCarrico, “Modality” 671 and passim. 30 There are a few exceptions to this rule. “I should have studied the lesson” is past tense perfect aspect, as the statement has current relevance. DeCarrico, “Modality” 674.