Accusative Case

In Arabic, nouns and adjectives change their endings based on their role. This is called I'rab. For the Accusative case, the default sign is the fatha (the short 'a' sound). However, it is not always that simple. The ending changes depending on whether the word is singular, plural, or part of a special group. You can think of the Accusative case as a multi-tool. It handles direct objects, adverbs, and specific grammatical constructions like the predicate of Kaana. It is the case that does the heavy lifting in complex syntax. It ensures that your listener knows exactly what you mean. Without it, a sentence like 'The man bit the dog' could easily become 'The dog bit the man.'

1. 1Changing a word into the Accusative case follows a few logical steps:
2. 2For singular nouns and broken plurals, add a fatha (-a) to the end. If the word is indefinite, add tanween fatha (-an) and a supporting alif (e.g., kitaban).
3. 3For Dual nouns, change the ending from aani to ayni (e.g., kitabayni).
4. 4For Sound Masculine Plurals, change the ending from uuna to iina (e.g., mu'allimiina).
5. 5For Sound Feminine Plurals, use a kasra (-i) instead of a fatha. This is a famous 'trap' for learners! (e.g., mudarrisaati).
6. 6For the 'Five Nouns' (Ab, Akh, etc.), use an alif (e.g., abaaka).

There are many 'stations' for the Accusative case. Here are the most common ones you will encounter at the C1 level:

• Direct Objects (Maf'ul Bihi): The classic use. Akaltu al-tuffahata (I ate the apple).
• Adverbs of Time and Place (Zarf): Words like yawman (a day) or fawqa (above).
• The 'State' (Hal): Describing how someone did something. Ja'a dahiqan (He came laughing).
• The Absolute Object (Maf'ul Mutlaq): Using the root verb for emphasis. Nimtu nawman (I slept a [deep] sleep).
• Nouns after Inna: The subject of Inna and its sisters must be Accusative. Inna al-jawwa jamilun (Indeed, the weather is beautiful).
• Predicates of Kaana: The 'result' of Kaana. Kana al-imtihaanu sa'ban (The exam was difficult).
• Specification (Tamyiz): Clarifying a vague number or concept. Ishreena kitaban (Twenty books).

It is easy to get 'fatha-happy' once you learn this. But stay cautious. Do not use the Accusative case after a preposition. Words after min, fi, or ila must be in the Genitive case (Majrur). Also, the subject of a standard verb is always Nominative (Marfu'). If you are describing the person doing the action, stick to the damma. Think of the Accusative as a guest in the house; it only stays in specific rooms. If you put it in the 'Subject' room, the whole house of grammar falls down.

One of the biggest 'oops' moments is forgetting the alif for indefinite singular nouns. You can't just write the tanween; it needs that alif 'kickstand' to lean on (except for words ending in taa marbuta). Another classic mistake is using a fatha for feminine plurals. Remember, feminine plurals are 'allergic' to fatha in the Accusative; they use kasra instead. Finally, watch out for Inna vs Kaana. They are like mirror images. Inna makes the first noun Accusative. Kaana makes the second noun (the predicate) Accusative. Mixing them up is like wearing your shoes on the wrong feet.

At first glance, the Accusative (Mansub) might look like the Genitive (Majrur) in plurals. For example, mu'allimiina is both Accusative and Genitive. How do you tell them apart? Look at what comes before. If there is a preposition, it is Genitive. If it is a direct object, it is Accusative. Context is your best friend here. Also, contrast the Hal (state) with the Sifa (adjective). An adjective matches the noun in everything. A Hal is almost always indefinite and Accusative, regardless of the noun it describes. It is a temporary state, not a permanent quality.