Talking About the Future: Will and Going to (سـ / سوف)
سـ or adding سوف before it.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
In Arabic, you turn a present tense verb into a future one by adding 'سـ' or 'سوف' before it.
- Add 'سـ' directly to the verb for near future: سأكتب (I will write).
- Use 'سوف' for a slightly more distant or emphatic future: سوف أكتب (I will write).
- Negate future actions using 'لن' followed by the subjunctive verb: لن أكتب (I will not write).
Overview
Talking about future actions in Arabic primarily involves two core markers: the prefix سَـ (sa-) and the standalone particle سَوْفَ (sawfa). These markers transform a verb from the present tense (المُضارِع, al-muḍāriʿ) into a future tense equivalent. Unlike many European languages that require extensive conjugation changes or auxiliary verbs for the future, Arabic simplifies this process by building directly upon the existing present tense verb form.
This inherent simplicity makes the Arabic future tense particularly accessible for A1 learners.
The use of سَـ and سَوْفَ reflects a linguistic economy within Arabic, where prefixes and particles often carry significant grammatical function. Both markers attach to or precede the indicative present tense verb (المُضارِع المَرْفُوع, al-muḍāriʿ al-marfūʿ), meaning the verb retains its characteristic final vocalization (typically a ḍamma for most singular forms, ـُ). Understanding the present tense indicative is therefore a prerequisite for mastering the future tense in Arabic.
How This Grammar Works
المُضارِع). This means that for any present tense verb you have learned, you can instantly convert it into the future tense by adding سَـ or سَوْفَ. This mechanism highlights a fundamental aspect of Arabic verbal morphology: the present tense form often serves as a base for other tenses and moods, indicating its central role in expressing actions.سَـ and سَوْفَ are future markers. سَـ is a prefix (حَرْف استِقْبَال, ḥarf istiqbāl, or "particle of reception/future"), which phonologically merges with the verb it precedes. سَوْفَ is a particle (حَرْف, ḥarf) that acts as a separate word.حَالَة, ḥālah). The verb remains in the indicative mood (المَرْفُوع, al-marfūʿ), meaning it retains the grammatical markings associated with an uninflected present tense verb (e.g., the ḍamma on the final consonant for most singular verbs, the nūn for dual and sound feminine plural verbs, and specific nūn for some sound masculine plural verbs). This preservation of mood is a key point, differentiating it from other future expressions like لَنْ (lan), which places the verb in the subjunctive mood (المَنْصُوب, al-manṣūb).سَـ (sa-) | سَوْفَ (sawfa) |مَرْفُوع) | Remains indicative (مَرْفُوع) |Formation Pattern
مَرْفُوع) conjugation of your chosen verb for the desired subject pronoun. Remember, the indicative form is typically characterized by a final ḍamma for singular verbs (e.g., يَكْتُبُ, yaktubu, 'he writes'), the retention of the final nūn for many plural forms (e.g., يَكْتُبُونَ, yaktubūna, 'they write'), and a final nūn for feminine singular أنتِ (anti) and dual forms.
كَتَبَ (kataba, to write), root ك-ت-ب (k-t-b):
أَكْتُبُ (aktubu) | I write |
يَكْتُبُ (yaktubu) | He writes |
تَكْتُبُ (taktubu) | She writes |
نَكْتُبُ (naktubu) | We write |
تَكْتُبُونَ (taktubūna) | You (pl.) write |
سَـ or سَوْفَ.
سَـ (the prefix): Attach سَـ directly to the beginning of the present tense verb. The fathah (ـَ) on the sīn is always present.
سَـ + أَكْتُبُ = سَأَكْتُبُ (saʾaktubu) – I will write.
سَـ + يَذْهَبُ (yaḏhabu, he goes) = سَيَذْهَبُ (sayaḏhabu) – He will go.
سَـ + تَشْرَبُونَ (tašrabūna, you (pl.) drink) = سَتَشْرَبُونَ (satašrabūna) – You (pl.) will drink.
سَوْفَ (the particle): Place سَوْفَ as a separate word immediately before the present tense verb. It does not attach to the verb.
سَوْفَ + أَكْتُبُ = سَوْفَ أَكْتُبُ (sawfa ʾaktubu) – I will write.
سَوْفَ + يَذْهَبُ (yaḏhabu) = سَوْفَ يَذْهَبُ (sawfa yaḏhabu) – He will go.
سَوْفَ + تَشْرَبُونَ (tašrabūna) = سَوْفَ تَشْرَبُونَ (sawfa tašrabūna) – You (pl.) will drink.
ء): When سَـ precedes a verb starting with an alif hamza (e.g., أَكْتُبُ, أَذْهَبُ), the hamza is maintained as part of the verb. It does not disappear or merge in a unique way with the sīn. The سَـ simply prefixes it, as seen in سَأَكْتُبُ.
When To Use It
سَـ (sa-) and سَوْفَ (sawfa) is primarily one of temporal proximity, certainty, and formality. While both indicate future action, they are not always interchangeable, and choosing the appropriate marker enhances the precision and naturalness of your Arabic.سَـ (sa-): The Near and Definite Futureسَـ for actions that are expected to occur soon, are certain, or represent a firm plan or intention. It conveys a sense of immediacy and directness.- Near Future: For actions planned for the immediate future (hours, days).
سَأَزُورُكَ غَدًا.(saʾazūruka ghadan.) – I will visit you tomorrow. (A definite plan)- Certainty/Commitment: When expressing a strong commitment or a highly probable event.
سَأُسَاعِدُكَ بِالتَّأْكِيد.(saʾusāʿiduka bi-l-taʾkīd.) – I will definitely help you.- Sequential Actions: Often used for steps in a process or a series of actions that will follow shortly.
أَوَّلاً سَأَقْرَأُ الْكِتَابَ، ثُمَّ سَأَكْتُبُ الْمُلَخَّص.(ʾawwalan saʾaqraʾu l-kitāba, thumma saʾaktubu l-mulaḵḵaṣ.) – First, I will read the book, then I will write the summary.
سَوْفَ (sawfa): The Distant, Less Definite, or Formal Futureسَوْفَ for actions that are anticipated in the more distant future, are less certain, or when you desire a more formal or deliberate tone.- Distant Future: For long-term plans, aspirations, or events far removed in time (weeks, months, years).
سَوْفَ أَتَخَرَّجُ مِنْ الْجَامِعَةِ بَعْدَ ثَلَاثِ سَنَوَات.(sawfa ataḵarraju min al-jāmiʿati baʿda thalāth sanawāt.) – I will graduate from university in three years.- Less Certainty/Possibility: When expressing an intention that is not yet fully solidified or depends on external factors.
سَوْفَ نُسَافِرُ إِذَا سَمَحَتْ الظُّرُوف.(sawfa nusāfiru ʾiḏā samaḥat aẓ-ẓurūf.) – We will travel if circumstances permit. (Implies conditionality)- Formality/Emphasis: In formal speeches, literature, or when conveying gravity or emphasis.
سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ!(sawfa taʿlamūna!) – You will know! (A common emphatic phrase, sometimes with a warning tone, as found in the Quran).
سَـ is overwhelmingly preferred. سَوْفَ can sound more formal or weighty, making it less common for mundane, immediate future actions. However, ignoring the سَوْفَ altogether would be a disservice to its consistent presence in formal registers and its nuanced implications.سَـ (sa-) | سَوْفَ (sawfa) |Common Mistakes
سَـ or سَوْفَ to Past Tense Verbs:المُضارِع) verb. Attempting to attach them to a past tense (الماضي, al-māḍī) verb is grammatically incorrect and renders the phrase unintelligible.- Incorrect:
سَذَهَبَ(sa-ḏahaba) – (Attempting to say 'he will go' with past tenseذَهَبَ(ḏahaba)). - Correct:
سَيَذْهَبُ(sayaḏhabu) – He will go. (Using present tenseيَذْهَبُ(yaḏhabu)).
لا (lā) negates the present tense and لم (lam) negates the past, neither سَـ لا nor سَوْفَ لا is the correct way to negate the future tense in standard Arabic. For future negation, Arabic uses a different particle: لَنْ (lan).- Incorrect:
سَأَذْهَبُ لا.(saʾaḏhabu lā.) orسَوْفَ لا أَذْهَبُ.(sawfa lā ʾaḏhabu.) – (Attempting to say 'I will not go'). - Correct:
لَنْ أَذْهَبَ.(lan ʾaḏhaba.) – I will not go.
لَنْ also changes the verb's mood from indicative (مَرْفُوع) to subjunctive (مَنْصُوب). This means the final ḍamma (ـُ) of the indicative verb changes to a fathah (ـَ), and the final nūn of certain plural forms is dropped. (This is a topic covered more deeply in the 'Mansoub Mood' rule).سَوْفَ:سَوْفَ is a standalone particle, not a prefix. It must be written as a separate word, followed by a space, before the verb.- Incorrect:
سَوْفَأَكْتُبُ(sawfaʾaktubu) – (Incorrectly attached). - Correct:
سَوْفَ أَكْتُبُ(sawfa ʾaktubu) – I will write.
سَـ attaches, سَوْفَ maintains its independence, reflecting its different grammatical category as a particle.سَـ vs. سَوْفَ Distinction:سَـ and سَوْفَ. While the distinction exists, in practical, informal communication, سَـ is a safe and common choice for almost any future event. Native speakers frequently use سَـ even for events that are several weeks or months away, unless they specifically intend the formality or deliberateness associated with سَوْفَ.- Example of pragmatic usage:
سَأُسَافِرُ فِي الصَّيْف.(saʾusāfiru fī al-ṣayf.) – I will travel in the summer. (Even if summer is months away,سَـis common.)
سَـ, then gradually refine your use of سَوْفَ as you gain more exposure to formal Arabic texts and speech.Real Conversations
Understanding how سَـ and سَوْفَ function in theory is essential, but observing their application in diverse, authentic communicative contexts provides deeper insight. Native speakers use these markers with subtle variations depending on the medium, context, and desired tone.
1. Casual Spoken Arabic / Texting:
In everyday conversations and digital communication, سَـ is the dominant future marker. Its brevity makes it efficient for rapid speech and quick messages. This reflects a preference for conciseness in informal registers.
- Friend asking about plans:
- مَاذَا سَتَفْعَلُ الْيَوْمَ؟ (māḏā satafʿalu al-yawma?) – What will you do today?
- سَأَذْهَبُ إِلَى الْجَامِعَةِ ثُمَّ سَأَلْتَقِي بِأَصْدِقَائِي. (saʾaḏhabu ʾilā al-jāmiʿati thumma saʾaltaqī biʾaṣdiqāʾī.) – I will go to university, then I will meet my friends.
- Confirming availability:
- سَأَكُونُ مُتَوَفِّرًا بَعْدَ السَّاعَةِ الْخَامِسَة. (saʾakūnu mutawaffiran baʿda al-sāʿati al-khāmisah.) – I will be available after 5 o'clock.
2. Formal Correspondence / News Reports:
In more formal settings, such as official emails, academic writing, or news broadcasts, سَوْفَ appears more frequently, especially for significant, long-term, or deliberate actions. It lends a sense of gravity and careful consideration.
- Official announcement:
- سَوْفَ تَعْقِدُ الْجَامِعَةُ مُؤْتَمَرًا دَوْلِيًّا فِي الشَّهْرِ الْقَادِم. (sawfa taʿqidu al-jāmiʿatu muʾtamaran dawliyyan fī al-šahri al-qādim.) – The university will hold an international conference next month.
- Government statement:
- سَوْفَ تَبْذُلُ الْحُكُومَةُ قُصَارَى جُهْدِهَا لِتَحْقِيقِ التَّنْمِيَة. (sawfa tabḏulu al-ḥukūmatu quṣārā juhdihā li-taḥqīqi al-tanmiyah.) – The government will exert its utmost effort to achieve development.
3. Social Media / Public Announcements:
Even on platforms like social media, the choice can reflect tone. سَـ is common for personal, immediate updates, while سَوْفَ might be used by institutions or for more weighty pronouncements.
- Personal update:
- سَأَبْدَأُ حِمْيَةً جَدِيدَةً مِنَ الْيَوْمِ! (saʾabdaʾu ḥimyatan jadīdatan min al-yawmi!) – I will start a new diet from today!
- Organizational announcement:
- سَوْفَ نُعْلِنُ عَنِ الْفَائِزِينَ فِي الْمُسَابَقَةِ الْقَادِمَة. (sawfa nuʿlinu ʿan al-fāʾizīna fī al-musābaqati al-qādimah.) – We will announce the winners in the upcoming competition.
Cultural Insight
سَوْفَ in more profound or religious contexts (e.g., in the Quran, سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ) reinforces its association with certainty, inevitability, and a sense of weighty future consequence. This cultural resonance contributes to its perceived formality in modern usage.Quick FAQ
سَـ and سَوْفَ.- Q: Can I use both
سَـandسَوْفَin the same sentence for emphasis? - A: No, you should choose only one marker per verb. Using both
سَـandسَوْفَwith the same verb is grammatically incorrect and redundant. The emphasis comes from context, word order, or other intensifying particles.
- Q: Does the verb change its ending when
سَـorسَوْفَare used? - A: No. The verb remains in the indicative mood (
مَرْفُوع), meaning its characteristic present tense endings (like the finalḍammaornūnfor plurals) are preserved. The markers themselves do not cause any inflectional change to the verb. - Example:
يَكْتُبُ(he writes) becomesسَيَكْتُبُorسَوْفَ يَكْتُبُ. Theḍammaonب(bāʾ) remains.
- Q: Is there any difference in meaning or nuance if the verb starts with an
alif hamza(أ)? - A: No, the formation pattern is consistent. The
سَـsimply prefixes thealif hamzawithout altering it. For example,أَكْتُبُ(I write) becomesسَأَكْتُبُ(I will write). Thehamzaretains its position and pronunciation.
- Q: Are
سَـandسَوْفَused in all Arabic dialects? - A: While
سَـandسَوْفَare standard in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), many dialects have their own distinct future markers. For example, Egyptian Arabic often usesحَـ(ḥa-) as a prefix, and Levantine Arabic frequently usesبَـ(ba-). However, understandingسَـandسَوْفَis fundamental as they are universally understood in formal contexts and widely recognized across the Arab world.
- Q: What if I want to ask a question about the future, like 'Will you go?'?
- A: You form future questions by adding the future marker as usual and preceding the entire phrase with the interrogative particle
هَلْ(hal) or by simply using rising intonation in spoken Arabic. هَلْ سَتَذْهَبُ؟(hal sataḏhabu?) – Will you go?مَتَى سَوْفَ تَصِلُ؟(matā sawfa taṣilu?) – When will you arrive?
- Q: Does using a time adverb like
غَدًا(tomorrow) makeسَـorسَوْفَoptional? - A: While time adverbs like
غَدًا(ghadan, tomorrow) orبَعْدَ قَلِيلٍ(baʿda qalīlin, in a little while) clearly indicate future time, it is still grammatically correct and standard practice to includeسَـorسَوْفَ. Omitting the future marker can sometimes render the verb as a simple present tense, which might imply 'I go tomorrow' rather than 'I will go tomorrow'. For clarity and grammatical precision, always use the future markers when expressing future actions. - Example:
سَأَذْهَبُ غَدًا.(saʾaḏhabu ghadan.) – I will go tomorrow. (Preferred) أَذْهَبُ غَدًا.(aḏhabu ghadan.) – I go tomorrow. (Less precise, can imply a regular or habitual action scheduled for tomorrow.)
Future Tense Formation
| Pronoun | Present Tense | Future (سـ) | Future (سوف) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
أكتب
|
سأكتب
|
سوف أكتب
|
|
You (m)
|
تكتب
|
ستكتب
|
سوف تكتب
|
|
You (f)
|
تكتبين
|
ستكتبين
|
سوف تكتبين
|
|
He
|
يكتب
|
سيكتب
|
سوف يكتب
|
|
She
|
تكتب
|
ستكتب
|
سوف تكتب
|
|
We
|
نكتب
|
سنكتب
|
سوف نكتب
|
|
They
|
يكتبون
|
سيكتبون
|
سوف يكتبون
|
Meanings
These markers transform a present tense verb into a future tense action, indicating an event that has not yet occurred.
Immediate Future
Actions happening soon or planned for the near future.
“سأدرس الآن”
“سأشرب القهوة”
Distant Future
Actions planned for a later time or general future intentions.
“سوف أسافر إلى مصر”
“سوف أتعلم العربية”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (Prefix)
|
سـ + Verb
|
سأذهب
|
|
Affirmative (Particle)
|
سوف + Verb
|
سوف أذهب
|
|
Negative
|
لن + Verb (Subjunctive)
|
لن أذهب
|
|
Question
|
هل + سـ/سوف + Verb
|
هل ستذهب؟
|
|
Short Answer (Yes)
|
نعم، سأفعل
|
نعم، سأذهب
|
|
Short Answer (No)
|
لا، لن أفعل
|
لا، لن أذهب
|
Formality Spectrum
سوف أتصل بك. (Phone call)
سأتصل بك. (Phone call)
رح أتصل فيك. (Phone call)
بكلمك. (Phone call)
Future Tense Map
Markers
- سـ Prefix
- سوف Particle
Negation
- لن Will not
سـ vs سوف
Examples by Level
سأذهب إلى البيت
I will go home
سوف أدرس العربية
I will study Arabic
سأشرب الماء
I will drink water
لن أخرج اليوم
I will not go out today
سأشتري كتاباً جديداً
I will buy a new book
سوف نلتقي في المساء
We will meet in the evening
سأساعدك في العمل
I will help you with work
لن نذهب إلى الحديقة
We will not go to the park
سأقوم بإنهاء التقرير غداً
I will finish the report tomorrow
سوف يسافرون إلى الخارج
They will travel abroad
لن أقبل هذا العرض
I will not accept this offer
سأكون في انتظارك
I will be waiting for you
سوف تشرق الشمس في السادسة
The sun will rise at six
سأبذل قصارى جهدي
I will do my best
لن يغير هذا القرار شيئاً
This decision will not change anything
سوف نناقش الموضوع لاحقاً
We will discuss the topic later
سأظل متمسكاً بمبادئي
I will remain committed to my principles
سوف تتضح الأمور قريباً
Things will become clear soon
لن يثنينا شيء عن هدفنا
Nothing will deter us from our goal
سأقوم بتحليل البيانات بدقة
I will analyze the data precisely
سوف تتبلور الرؤية مع الوقت
The vision will crystallize over time
سأضطلع بهذه المهمة الصعبة
I will undertake this difficult task
لن يغيب عن بالنا هذا الحدث
This event will not escape our memory
سوف يظل التاريخ شاهداً
History will remain a witness
Easily Confused
Learners often don't know when to use one over the other.
Learners try to translate 'I am going to' literally.
Learners use 'لا' for all negatives.
Common Mistakes
لا سأذهب
لن أذهب
سـ أذهب
سأذهب
سـ ذهبت
سأذهب
سوفا أذهب
سوف أذهب
سوف سأذهب
سوف أذهب
سـ سوف أذهب
سوف أذهب
لن سأذهب
لن أذهب
سوف أذهب غداً
سأذهب غداً
لن سوف أذهب
لن أذهب
سـ أذهب في المستقبل
سوف أذهب في المستقبل
سوف أكون ذاهب
سأذهب
لن أكون أذهب
لن أذهب
سوف لن أذهب
لن أذهب
Sentence Patterns
سأ___ غداً.
سوف ___ إلى ___.
لن ___ هذا العمل.
سوف ___ إذا ___.
Real World Usage
سأتصل بك بعد قليل.
سأشارك الصور غداً.
سوف أساهم في نجاح الشركة.
سوف أحجز التذكرة.
سأطلب الطعام الآن.
سوف نناقش النتائج في الفصل القادم.
Keep it short
Don't use 'لا'
Formal writing
Dialect matters
Smart Tips
Use 'سوف' instead of 'سـ'.
Use 'سـ' or even dialectal forms.
Always reach for 'لن' first.
Use 'سوف' to allow for more flexibility in your sentence structure.
Pronunciation
Prefix 'سـ'
The 'seen' (س) is pronounced clearly with a short 'a' sound.
Particle 'سوف'
The 'waw' (و) is a long vowel sound.
Statement
سأذهب إلى البيت ↘
Falling intonation for certainty.
Question
هل ستذهب؟ ↗
Rising intonation for inquiry.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'سـ' as a 'Super-speed' prefix for things happening right now, and 'سوف' as a 'Slow' particle for things further away.
Visual Association
Imagine a rocket ship (سـ) taking off immediately, and a calendar (سوف) hanging on the wall for later plans.
Rhyme
سـ is fast and sticks to the verb, سوف is slow and stands apart.
Story
Ahmed wakes up. He says, 'سأشرب القهوة' (I will drink coffee - immediate). Later, he looks at his calendar and says, 'سوف أسافر غداً' (I will travel tomorrow - distant). His friend asks if he's going to work, and he says, 'لن أذهب' (I will not go - negative).
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about what you will do today using 'سـ' and 3 about what you will do next week using 'سوف'.
Cultural Notes
In many Levantine dialects, 'سـ' is replaced by 'رح' (rah).
Egyptians often use 'هـ' (ha-) as a prefix instead of 'سـ'.
Gulf dialects often use 'بـ' (ba-) as a prefix.
The prefix 'سـ' is a shortened form of 'سوف'.
Conversation Starters
ماذا ستفعل غداً؟
هل ستسافر في الصيف؟
ما هي خططك للمستقبل؟
هل تعتقد أن التكنولوجيا ستغير حياتنا؟
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
أنا ___ (سـ) أذهب إلى العمل.
___ أذهب إلى الحفلة.
Find and fix the mistake:
سوف سأذهب إلى البيت.
أنا أكتب الدرس. (Future)
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
سوف / غداً / أسافر / أنا
سأكتب -> (He)
'سـ' can be used with past tense.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesأنا ___ (سـ) أذهب إلى العمل.
___ أذهب إلى الحفلة.
Find and fix the mistake:
سوف سأذهب إلى البيت.
أنا أكتب الدرس. (Future)
سأدرس
سوف / غداً / أسافر / أنا
سأكتب -> (He)
'سـ' can be used with past tense.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises___ نأكل في مطعم جديد.
سوف تعملين الآن.
رسالة / سأرسل / لك
I will be at home.
Which one sounds like a long-term plan?
Match the following:
___ تساعد أخاك.
سوف كنت طالباً.
They will come tomorrow.
غداً / سنراك / نحن
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, that is redundant. Choose one based on the register.
It changes to the subjunctive mood (mansub) because 'لن' is a particle that requires it.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in both formal and informal writing.
People will understand you, but it will sound grammatically incorrect.
Yes, using time words like 'غداً' (tomorrow) with the present tense is also common.
No, you use 'لن' for all future negatives.
Mostly register and distance. 'سـ' is immediate, 'سوف' is distant.
Yes, they work with all present tense verbs.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
ir a + infinitive
Spanish uses an infinitive; Arabic uses a conjugated verb.
futur proche
French requires an auxiliary verb; Arabic uses a morphological prefix.
werden + infinitive
German changes the verb form to infinitive; Arabic keeps the present tense conjugation.
tsumori
Japanese is intent-based; Arabic is tense-based.
hui / yao
Chinese particles are invariant; Arabic markers interact with verb conjugation.
will / going to
English has two distinct future forms; Arabic uses one prefix for most cases.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Arabic Present & Future: The Imperfect Tense (Al-Mudari')
Overview The Arabic Imperfect Tense, known as `الفِعْل المُضَارِع` (`al-fiʿl al-muḍāriʿ`), is fundamental for expressing...
The 'Mansoub' Mood: Saying 'To', 'So That', and 'Will Not'
Overview Arabic grammar employs a system of verb moods that indicate how an action is perceived or intended, a concept d...
Talking to a Girl in Arabic: Present Tense (anti)
Overview In Arabic, precision in address is paramount, particularly when speaking to individuals. Unlike English, where...
Arabic Past Tense: He Did (kataba)
Overview The Arabic past tense verb for "he did" is not merely a conjugation; it is the **fundamental building block** f...
Arabic Past Tense: You (m) did it! (-ta)
Overview In Arabic, expressing a completed action directed at a single male requires a specific verb conjugation known a...
