Words Treated Like Duals
The الملحق بالمثنى (Words Treated Like Duals) are a group of words that use dual endings (-ān for nominative, -ayn for accusative/genitive) but are not 'true' duals. They are considered 'attached' to the dual because they either lack a singular form from the same root or their singular form is indeclinable.
How It Works
This category consists of words that follow the dual declension rules but fail one or more conditions of a standard dual. This includes specific numbers, words for 'both', certain demonstratives and relative forms; the dual of ذو is a useful comparison.
1. The Number Two (اثنان / اثنتان):
These words follow dual declension but are Mulḥaq because they have no singular form derived from the same root (the singular is 'wāḥid'). Note that the initial alif is a Hamzat al-Waṣl. In the compound number 12, the final ن (nūn) is dropped: اثنا عشر (Masc. Nom.) or اثنتي عشرة (Fem. Acc./Gen.).
2. Both (كلا / كلتا):
These words are only treated as duals if they are attached to a pronoun suffix (e.g., كلاهما). In this case, they take an alif in the nominative and a yā’ in the accusative and genitive. However, if followed by a plain noun (e.g., كلا الرجلين), they are treated as maqṣūr nouns. This means they keep the alif in all cases, and the case endings are 'estimated' (muqaddara) rather than visible.
3. Possessors (ذوا / ذواتا):
The dual forms of the special noun 'dhū' (meaning 'possessor of') are ordinary dual forms for comparison, rather than an additional basic adjunct category: ذو and ذات supply their singular counterparts. These are ذوا (masculine) and ذواتا (feminine). They follow the dual declension, changing the alif to a yā’ in the accusative and genitive cases (ذوَي / ذواتَي).
4. Demonstratives and Relatives:
While singular demonstratives are usually indeclinable (mabnī), their dual forms are considered Mulḥaq because they change their endings to reflect case. This includes هذان / هذين and هاتان / هاتين, as well as the relative pronouns اللذان / اللذين and اللتان / اللتين.
Visible Examples: حضرَ كلا الطالبينِ (Both students attended) has estimated nominative case on كلا before a noun. For possessors, جاء رجلان ذوا علمٍ / قابلت رجلين ذوي علمٍ uses the ordinary dual of ذو and drops its nun in iḍāfa. For demonstratives and relatives, قابلتُ هذينِ اللذينِ نجحا (I met these two who passed) puts both هذين and اللذين in the accusative. Their corresponding nominative forms are هذان and اللذان. These examples distinguish ordinary dual formation from words conventionally taught alongside the dual.
Examples (6)
- جاءَ اثنانِ من الطلابِ.
Two of the students came.
Word by Word: Came two from the students.
Here, 'ithnāni' is the subject (nominative) and takes the 'alif' ending.
- قرأتُ اثنتي عشرةَ صفحةً.
I read twelve pages.
Word by Word: I read two ten page.
In the number 12, 'ithnatay' is in the accusative case (object) and the 'nūn' is dropped.
- الوالدانِ كلاهما طيبانِ.
Both parents are kind.
Word by Word: The parents both of them kind.
Because 'kilā' is attached to a pronoun (humā), it follows dual rules and takes 'alif' for the nominative case.
- رأيتُ كليهما في المكتبةِ.
I saw both of them in the library.
Word by Word: I-saw both-of-the-two in the-library.
Here, 'kilayhimā' is the object (accusative), so the 'alif' changes to 'yā’'.
- جاءَ رجلانِ ذَوَا عِلْمٍ.
Two knowledgeable men came.
Word by Word: Came two-men two-possessors of-knowledge.
ذوا is the nominative dual of ذو, without its nun because it is in an iḍāfa with علم. This is an ordinary dual comparison, not a word with no singular counterpart.
- قابلتُ هذينِ اللذينِ نجحا.
I met these two who passed.
Word by Word: I-met these-two the-two-who passed.
The demonstrative هذين and relative اللذين both show the accusative/genitive dual form with ي. Here they occupy accusative positions.
Common Mistakes
Changing the case of 'kilā' to 'kilay' when followed by a plain noun.
سلمتُ على كلي الرجلين.سلمتُ على كلا الرجلين.When 'kilā' is followed by a noun, it is treated like a maqṣūr noun. It always ends in an alif, and the case markings (ḍamma, fatḥa, or kasra) are hidden or 'estimated' on that alif.
Keeping the 'nūn' in the number twelve.
عندي اثنان عشر كتاباً.عندي اثنا عشر كتاباً.The 'nūn' must be dropped in the number 12 because it is treated as a compound construction, similar to how the nūn is dropped in possession.
Using the nominative form of 'kilā' in an accusative position when attached to a pronoun.
أحب كلاهما.أحب كليهما.When attached to a pronoun, 'kilā' must reflect the case using dual endings. As a direct object, it needs the 'yā’' ending (kilay-).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand words treated like duals (Mulhaq bil-Muthanna), you must first be comfortable with the standard dual form and its specific grammatical endings (Alif and Ya). This pattern covers words that look and behave like duals but lack a singular form of the same root, such as 'two' and 'both'.
Related Patterns
- How Dual Endings Change
This pattern explains the standard case endings that Mulḥaq words imitate.
Level 3 - ـانTwo of Something
The Mulḥaq category is defined by its relationship to the standard dual noun.
Level 1 - Dropping ن When Nouns Are Joined
Explains why the 'nūn' disappears in the number 12 and when duals are joined to other words.
Level 3 - Numbers Eleven to Nineteen
Provides context for how the number 12 (a Mulḥaq word) fits into the compound number system.
Level 2 - Possessive Endings on Nouns
Crucial for understanding when 'kilā' and 'kiltā' trigger their dual declension.
Level 1 - Endings That Cannot Be Written
Explains how 'kilā' behaves when followed by a noun (taking 'hidden' vowels).
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice Words Treated Like Duals in Bubblegum
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