B2 advanced_syntax 3 min de lecture

Using أن to

Use `an` + present verb (ending in 'a') to link ideas like wanting, needing, or being able to do something.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Connects two verbs together.
  • Translates to English "to" + verb.
  • Changes verb ending to 'a' (Fatha).
  • Essential for wants, needs, and abilities.

Quick Reference

Pronoun Normal Present With `an` (Mansub) Meaning
Ana (I) aktubu an aktuba to write
Anta (You m.) tadhhabu an tadhhaba to go
Anti (You f.) tadhhabina an tadhhabi to go (drop the nun!)
Huwa (He) yaqra'u an yaqra'a to read
Nahnu (We) najlisu an najlisa to sit
Hum (They) yadkhuluna an yadkhulu to enter (drop the nun!)

Exemples clés

3 sur 8
1

Uridu an adhhaba ila al-suq

I want to go to the market.

2

Yajib an tadrusa kathiran

You must study a lot.

3

Hal tastati'u an tusa'idani?

Can you help me?

🎯

The 'N' Drop Trick

If you are speaking to a group (antum/hum) or a female (anti), remember: 'An' is a ninja that steals the letter Nun (n) from the end of the verb! `Tadhhabina` becomes `an tadhhabi`.

💬

Politeness Level

Using `an` creates full sentences that sound slightly more polite and complete than just barking nouns. `Uridu an akula` (I want to eat) sounds a bit more invested than `Uridu akl` (I want food/eating).

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Connects two verbs together.
  • Translates to English "to" + verb.
  • Changes verb ending to 'a' (Fatha).
  • Essential for wants, needs, and abilities.

Overview

This is one of the biggest "level-up" moments in Arabic grammar. Seriously, mastering an (أن) is the difference between sounding like a robot listing facts and a fluent speaker connecting ideas. In English, we use "to" all the time: "I want to go," "I need to sleep." In Arabic, an is your magic bridge that allows you to do exactly that. It transforms a verb into something that acts like a noun. We call this the "Masdar Mu'awwal" (interpreted source), but honestly, just think of it as the "Verb Melter"—it melts a verb down so it can fit where a noun usually goes.

How This Grammar Works

Basically, Arabic hates it when you crash two conjugated verbs together without a seatbelt. You can't say "I want I go" (urid adhhab). That sounds clunky. Instead, you use an to glue them together: "I want that I go" (urid an adhhaba).

The cool part? This whole chunk (an + verb) functions exactly like a noun. So an takula (that you eat) is grammatically equal to al-akl (eating). You can swap them out, and the sentence still makes sense! It’s like having a spare key to your house—different shape, opens the same door.

Formation Pattern

  1. 1Here is the recipe for the perfect an sandwich:
  2. 2Start with your trigger verb (e.g., "I want," "I can," "I hope").
  3. 3Add an (أنْ).
  4. 4Add the Present Tense verb.
  5. 5CRITICAL STEP: Change the last vowel of that present verb to a Fatha (a). This is the subjunctive mood (Mansub).
  6. 6Example: yaktubu (he writes) → yajib an yaktuba (he must write).

When To Use It

Use this pattern whenever you have two actions linked together, especially with:

  • Desire: uridu (I want), atamanna (I hope)
  • Ability: astati'u (I can/am able)
  • Obligation: yajib (it is necessary/must), yanbaghi (should)
  • Preference: ufaddilu (I prefer)

It’s your go-to for complex sentences like "I prefer to study at night" or "It is crucial to leave now."

When Not To Use It

  • Don't use it after prepositions directly. You usually can't say min an... easily without changing things. Use the straight noun (Masdar) there: ba'd al-akl (after eating), not ba'd an yakul (unless you're getting fancy with time clauses).
  • Don't use it if you aren't connecting two ideas. "I eat" is just akulu. No an needed.

Common Mistakes

  • The Vowel Slip-up: Forgetting to change u to a on the verb. Uridu an adhhabu ✗ → Uridu an adhhaba ✓.
  • The Anna Trap: Confusing an (with a sukoon on N) with anna (with a shadda on N). Anna is for "that" followed by a noun/pronoun (like "I know that he is here"). An is for verbs.
  • The Negation Mash-up: When you want to say "not to," an + la smoosh together to become alla (ألا). "I try not to forget" = uhawilu alla ansay.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

  • Vs. Masdar Sarih (Explicit Noun):
  • Uridu an ashraba (I want to drink) = Focus is on the action happening now/future.
  • Uridu al-shurb (I want the drinking/drink) = Focus is on the concept itself. Often interchangeable, but an feels more active.

Quick FAQ

Q. Does an work with past tense?

A. Rarely in this specific "to do" context. Stick to present tense for now.

Q. Why do Arabs swallow the n sound sometimes?

A. Because we speak fast! an yadhhab often sounds like ay-yadhhab due to assimilation (Idgham). It's totally normal, don't panic.

Reference Table

Pronoun Normal Present With `an` (Mansub) Meaning
Ana (I) aktubu an aktuba to write
Anta (You m.) tadhhabu an tadhhaba to go
Anti (You f.) tadhhabina an tadhhabi to go (drop the nun!)
Huwa (He) yaqra'u an yaqra'a to read
Nahnu (We) najlisu an najlisa to sit
Hum (They) yadkhuluna an yadkhulu to enter (drop the nun!)
🎯

The 'N' Drop Trick

If you are speaking to a group (antum/hum) or a female (anti), remember: 'An' is a ninja that steals the letter Nun (n) from the end of the verb! `Tadhhabina` becomes `an tadhhabi`.

💬

Politeness Level

Using `an` creates full sentences that sound slightly more polite and complete than just barking nouns. `Uridu an akula` (I want to eat) sounds a bit more invested than `Uridu akl` (I want food/eating).

⚠️

Don't Mix Your 'Ans'

`An` (أنْ) goes with verbs. `Anna` (أنَّ) goes with nouns/pronouns. If you say `Uridu anna adhab`, native speakers will look for the rest of the sentence because `anna` implies 'that...' as a fact, not an intention.

💡

The 'Future' Vibe

Even though the verb is technically present tense, `an` almost always implies the future relative to the main verb. 'I want to go' implies I haven't gone yet.

Exemples

8
#1 أُريدُ أنْ أذْهَبَ إلى السُّوقِ

Uridu an adhhaba ila al-suq

Focus: an adhhaba

I want to go to the market.

Standard usage. Notice 'adhhaba' ends in 'a'.

#2 يَجِبُ أنْ تَدْرُسَ كَثيراً

Yajib an tadrusa kathiran

Focus: an tadrusa

You must study a lot.

Lit: It is necessary that you study.

#3 هَلْ تَسْتَطيعُ أنْ تُساعِدَني؟

Hal tastati'u an tusa'idani?

Focus: an tusa'idani

Can you help me?

Very common way to ask for favors.

#4 نُفَضِّلُ أنْ نَبْقى في البَيْتِ

Nufaddilu an nabqa fi al-bayt

Focus: an nabqa

We prefer to stay at home.

Edge case: 'nabqa' ends in vowel, so the Fatha is hidden (implicit).

#5 حاوَلوا أَلَّا يَتَأَخَّروا

Hawalu alla yata'akkharu

Focus: alla yata'akkharu

They tried not to be late.

Mistake Fix: 'an la' becomes 'alla'. Also 'nun' is dropped for plural.

#6 أُريدُ أنْ أَكْتُبُ الرِّسالَةَ (✗) -> أنْ أَكْتُبَ (✓)

Uridu an aktubu al-risala (Incorrect)

Focus: an aktuba

I want to write the letter.

Correction: Don't keep the Damma (u). Change to Fatha (a).

#7 مِنَ المُهِمِّ أنْ تَكُوني صَبورَةً

Min al-muhimmi an takuni saburah

Focus: an takuni

It is important for you (f.) to be patient.

Feminine singular drops the 'nun' (takunina -> takuni).

#8 أَطْلُبُ مِنْكَ أنْ تَحْتَرِمَ الوَقْتَ

Atlubu minka an tahtarima al-waqt

Focus: an tahtarima

I request of you to respect time.

Formal/Professional tone.

Teste-toi

Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence.

أنا أُحِبُّ أنْ ___ القَهْوَةَ (I like to drink coffee)

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : أَشْرَبَ (ashraba)

Because 'an' precedes the verb, the verb must end in a Fatha (Mansub case).

Select the correct combination for 'not to'.

طَلَبَ مِنِّي ___ أَتَكَلَّمَ (He asked me not to speak)

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : أَلَّا (alla)

When 'an' meets 'la', they merge into 'alla'.

Complete the plural verb form.

يَجِبُ عَلَيْكُم أنْ ___ (You all must go)

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : تَذْهَبوا (tadhhabu)

For plural masculine (antum), we drop the 'nun' when the verb follows 'an'.

🎉 Score : /3

Aides visuelles

Verb Sandwich vs. Noun Burger

Using أن (Masdar Mu'awwal)
أريد أن أذهب I want to go
أحب أن أقرأ I like to read
Using Noun (Masdar Sarih)
أريد الذهاب I want the going
أحب القراءة I like reading

Should I use 'An'?

1

Are you connecting two verbs?

YES ↓
NO
No 'an' needed.
2

Is the first verb about wanting, ability, or obligation?

YES ↓
NO
Check if it requires a preposition.
3

Is the second verb happening now or later?

YES ↓
NO
Use past tense (no 'an').
4

Use 'An' + Present Verb (Mansub)!

Common 'An' Triggers

❤️

Desire

  • أريد (I want)
  • أحب (I love)
  • أتمنى (I hope)
⚠️

Obligation

  • يجب (Must)
  • ينبغي (Should)
  • يلزم (Need to)
🤔

Possibility

  • أستطيع (I can)
  • يمكن (It is possible)
  • أحاول (I try)

Questions fréquentes

21 questions

It is a particle that connects verbs and puts the second verb into the subjunctive mood. Think of it as the English word 'to' in 'to go' or 'to eat'.

Not the core meaning, but it changes the grammatical function. It turns the verb action into a concept (a noun-equivalent) that can be the object of a sentence.

In Arabic grammar, an is a 'nasib' (accusative) particle. It forces the following present tense verb to take a Fatha (a) to show it is dependent on the previous verb.

Generally, no. In this structure (Masdar Mu'awwal for intent/desire), you stick to the present tense. Uridu an dhahabtu sounds incorrect.

You simply conjugate the second verb for 'you'. Uridu an tadhhaba (I want that *you* go).

An (with sukoon) is for verbs. Anna (with shadda) is for nouns and pronouns. Uridu an adhhaba (verb) vs A'rifu anna al-jawwa jamil (noun phrase).

Rarely in modern standard conversation for this specific rule. It usually follows another verb or expression like min al-mumkin (it is possible).

People will still understand you perfectly! It's just a small grammatical error. Don't let fear of the Fatha stop you from speaking.

You add la after an. They combine to form alla (أَلَّا). Example: Uridu alla adhhaba (I want not to go).

If the verb ends in a Nun (like yadhhabuna), an makes the Nun disappear. It becomes an yadhhabu.

Same rule as plurals! The Nun drops. Yadhhabani (two go) becomes an yadhhaba.

Yes! Qabla an is very common. Qabla an anam (Before I sleep). Note that ba'd (after) usually prefers ma or the noun, but ba'd an exists too.

It is standard MSA (Fusha). Dialects often shorten an or remove it entirely, or use dialect-specific words like bidd (Levantine) without an.

You can add li to an making it li-an (because/so that) or just li + verb. But an alone is just 'to'.

Yes. An yakuna. It follows the same rules as any other verb.

If it ends in waw or ya, the Fatha usually appears (an yad'uwa, an yamshiya). If it ends in alif, the Fatha is invisible (an yansa).

Usually no. They are best friends and like to stick together. Only la (negation) can really squeeze in between easily.

It's stylistic. An emphasizes the action and subject (who is doing it). The Masdar is more abstract. Uridu an akula (I specifically want to eat) vs Uridu al-akl (I want food).

If the next letter is a throat letter (like h, kh, a), yes. If it's a letter like y, r, m, l, w, the 'n' sound merges into it (Idgham). An yadhhab -> Ay-yadhhab.

That's just the fancy grammar term for the 'Mood of Uncertainty or Emotion.' Since 'wanting' to do something isn't a hard fact yet, we use the Subjunctive (Mansub).

No. An already implies future intent. You don't say an sawfa adhhaba. Just an adhhaba.

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