13.11 Looking ahead: each stem will have a specific \(V_S\) Formula
Different conjugations may have different Stem Vowels. There are formulas we will use to help us remember.
- As we progress through the verbs, each major stem will end up with a formula that looks something like this:
\[V_{S} = Î[A] \sim Î(Ē)\]
- This is the Hiphil formula and is probably complete gibberish to you right now!
- As we get into Unit 4, this formula (in combination with the \(Pre\) pattern) will save you hours of paradigm memorization of the derived stems
- You will only need to memorize the Qal paradigms, then apply this formula to the other stems
- So let’s start to build this formula for the Qal:
\[V_{S} = A \sim\]
- In the formula, \(A\) refers to Patach
- This formula is telling you that the Stem Vowel of the Perfect Conjugation prefers Patach
- P3FS and P3CP will be exceptions in all stems
- Pronominal suffixes (Lesson 19) will also cause deviations
- The Imperfect Stem Vowel will be to the right of the \(\sim\) mark - we’ll address this in Lesson 15