The Imperfect verb features prefixes (remember, the perfect verb featured suffixes).

PNG

3ms יכ�ת��ב he will write

3fs �כ�ת��ב ת� she will write

2ms �כ�ת��ב ת� you will write

2fs �ב�י �כ�ת� ת� you will write

1cs אכ�ת��ב I will write

3mp � �בו יכ�ת� they will write

3fp �ה �כ�ת��ב�נ ת� they will write

2mp � �בו �כ�ת� ת� you will write

2fp �ה �כ�ת��ב�נ ת� you will write

1cp �כ�ת��ב נ we will write

The 2ms and 3fs are identical. Use context.

The 2fp and 3fp are also identical.

The imperfect distinguishes between the 3mp and 3fp.

The vowel of the second syllable is a holem unless a suffix is attached. In those cases, the holem reduces to a shewa.

Future—Action that has yet to occur. For example: כ�ת��ב� can be ת�translated as “she will write.”Habitual—Action that occurs customarily or repeatedly. For example: כ�ת��ב� can be translated as “she writes” or “she used to ת�write” in the sense of a customary or habitual action whether in the future, present, or past. The key to an imperfect verb application to the past, which is usually reserved for the perfect tense, is the repetitive nature of custom or habit. For example: “We always ate dinner together.” Modal— Action that indicates necessity or possibility. In English, we use the following words to translate the meaning of modal: may, would, should, could, can, and might. For example: כ�ת��ב� can be ת�translated as “she could write,” “she may write,” “she should write,” and so forth. The modal is applied only with certain sets of syntax that will be studied in future lessons.

The meaning of the imperfect verb:

While we use the term incomplete (meaning the action has not been completed) to describe the action of an imperfect verb, this is not entirely accurate. Imperfect action is usually nonspecific, probable, potential, or habitual action.

The action is truly incomplete when the specific future tense is used, such as “he will speak” or “they will return.”

To negate the imperfect, use the word ל�א. Consider some of the possible translations for the following example:

In Hebrew poetry, the word א�ל ־ is also used to negate the imperfect.

�כ�ת��ב ל�א ת� She will not write. (or)She does not write. (or)She would not write. (or)She might not write. (or)She does not usually write.

Pronominal suffixes for dual absolute and construct nouns are identical to those for plural nouns:Singular Dual

AbsoluteDual

Construct

�ד י hand �ד�ים י two hands י �ד� י hands of

רגל foot ר�ג�ל�ים two feet �ל�י ר�ג feet of

ן א�ז ear �ים �נ ז א� two ears �י �נ ז א� ears of

ע�ין eye �ים ע�ינ two eyes �י ע�ינ eyes of

�ף ��נ כ wing �פ�ים ��נ כ two wings �פ�י ��נ כ wings of

The following are some examples of dual nouns with pronominal suffixes.

י �ד� י my (two) hands �ל�י ר�ג my (two) feet

� יך �ד י your (ms) (two) hands � �ליך ר�ג your (ms) (two) feet

יו �ד� י his (two) hands ר�ג�ל�יכם your (mp) (two) feet

In addition to parts of the body, time and measurement can also be expressed in the dual. For example:

יו�מ�יםtwo days

י �ע!מ� פ�ם

twice

�ע�ים ש��בוtwo weeks

א�מ��ת�ים

two cubits

�ת�ים ש��נ two yearsAdjectives that modify dual nouns should be rendered in the plural form.

For example, ו�ת� יו ע�ז �ד� ”.is translated as “his (two) strong hands י