Clarifying a Comparison

Level 5

The التمييز الملحوظ (Clarifying Specification) is an indefinite noun ending in -an that answers the question 'In what respect?' It clarifies a vague relationship between a subject and a verb or within a comparison.

How It Works

In Modern Standard Arabic, التمييز الملحوظ (also known as tamyīz al-nisba or tamyīz al-jumla) is a core feature used to clarify an ambiguous relationship within a sentence. It is typically an indefinite noun (nakira) in the accusative case.

This grammar point is divided into two primary categories:

  • Transformed (Muḥawwal): The clarifying noun represents a 'shifted' part of the sentence logic. Note: Transformed tamyīz must always be in the accusative case and cannot be preceded by a preposition. It can be transformed from:
  • Non-Transformed (Ghayr Muḥawwal): This type clarifies the general meaning of a sentence without being a shifted grammatical component. It is found:
    • After verbs of Praise and Blame like نعم and بئس.
    • Within specific Exclamatory Structures. In these cases, the specification can sometimes be expressed using the preposition من followed by a genitive noun. Note that while tamyīz al-nisba is usually accusative, the use of من is also common in tamyīz al-dhāt (specification of weights and measures).

Becoming proficient in this structure is essential for achieving clarity and nuance in formal Arabic prose.

Examples (6)

  1. هو أكثرُ خبرةً من زملائه.

    He is more experienced than his colleagues.

    Word by Word: He [is] more [in] experience than his colleagues.

    Here, 'khibratan' (experience) is a transformed tamyīz, clarifying the aspect in which he is 'more' than his colleagues.

  2. ازدادَ الأمرُ تعقيداً بعدَ القرارِ الجديد.

    The matter grew more complicated after the new decision.

    Word by Word: Increased the matter [in] complication after the decision the new.

    The noun 'ta‘qīdan' specifies the aspect in which the 'matter' increased; it is transformed from the subject (The complication of the matter increased).

  3. غرسنا الأرضَ شجراً.

    We planted the land with trees.

    Word by Word: We planted the land [in] trees.

    This is an example of tamyīz transformed from the object; the original logic is 'We planted the trees of the land'.

  4. لا يُضارعُ الزهرُ أريجاً.

    The flower is not equaled in scent.

    Word by Word: Not is equaled the flower [in] scent.

    This demonstrates tamyīz transformed from the vice-subject (nā’ib al-fā‘il), clarifying the aspect of comparison for the passive verb.

  5. نِعْمَ الصدقُ خُلُقاً.

    What a noble character honesty is!

    Word by Word: Blessed [is] the honesty [in] character.

    This is a non-transformed tamyīz used after a verb of praise (ni‘ma) to specify the quality being praised.

  6. للهِ دَرُّهُ من فارسٍ!

    What a wonderful knight he is!

    Word by Word: To God [belongs] his excellence from [a] knight!

    In specific exclamatory structures like this, the non-transformed tamyīz can be expressed using the preposition 'min' followed by a genitive noun.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a definite noun (with 'al-') for the specification.

    هو أكثر الخبرة.
    هو أكثر خبرةً.

    The Tamyīz must always be indefinite (nakira). Adding 'al-' turns it into a different, often incorrect, grammatical structure.

  • Confusing Tamyīz with a circumstantial adverb (Ḥāl).

    ازداد الطالب سعيداً.
    ازداد الطالب سعادةً.

    A Ḥāl describes the state of the person (an adjective like 'happy'), while Tamyīz describes the aspect of the verb (a noun like 'happiness').

How It Connects

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Clarifying a ComparisonLevel 5

Learn This First

To understand 'التمييز الملحوظ' (Clarifying a Comparison), you need to be familiar with how Arabic forms comparative adjectives (like 'more' or 'better'). You also need to understand the accusative case (المنصوب) and how to apply indefinite endings (التنوين), as the clarifying noun always appears in this form to specify the scope of a preceding verb or adjective.