Levantine Arabic/Verbs/Present

Conjugation
The present tense (also called b-imperfect) is formed by adding the prefix (b-/bi-) to the subjunctive form.

The b-prefix is pronounced “b-” if the subjunctive prefix is stressed and “bi-” if its unstressed, resulting in the following conjugation:


 * North and South Levantine differ in the 1st person singular (I) and 3rd person masculine (he) and plural (they).
 * When the prefix is stressed, the South Levantine 3rd person masculine is the same as the 1st person singular in North Levantine.
 * The 2nd person masculine (you) and 3rd person feminine (she) share the same form.
 * In the 1st person plural (we) the prefix becomes assimilated resulting “mn-/min-”, however some speakers pronounce it as “bn-/bin-”.

Present progressive
The present progressive is formed by the particle (ʕam) followed by either the subjunctive or present tense of the verb, depending on the region and personal preference.

It is used to emphasize an ongoing action. It's usage is less frequent as in English, as the present tense itself can be used instead.

The present progressive is not used with verbs of motion, where the active participle is used instead.