When the conjunction ו is prefixed directly to a verbal form (and only so) the result is that waw with an imperfect has a past meaning, while waw with a perfect form has a future or present meaning.1 Waw added to a perfect form is pointed with simple sounded shewa and obeys the consequent rules set out in 5a above. Waw added to an imperfect form is pointed with patach, and the letter following is marked with dagesh forte. The first person form, beginning with aleph (which, as
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