Object-first order is a syntactic pattern; reversal, exclusion of participation, choosing between undecided alternatives, and emphasis are possible functions. Taʿyīn resolves uncertainty; qalb corrects a reversed assertion; ifrād excludes a presumed partner. The rhetorical function cannot be inferred from word order alone.
The question “Whom did you recognize?” and the objection “It was ʿAmr you recognized” may elicit similarly ordered answers but different communicative purposes.
FunctionPrior beliefCorrection
Qasr al-qalbʿAmr rather than ZaydReverse selected alternative
Qasr al-ifrādBoth Zayd and ʿAmrExclude supposed partner
Qasr al-taʿyīnUncertainty between Zayd and ʿAmrResolve which of two alternatives is meant
Focus aloneNo necessary false beliefHighlight a dependent