Sometimes the hamza asks which of two alternatives should be identified, rather than whether a predication holds at all. This is identification-seeking (طلب التصور), frequently using a connected am (أم).
«أَدِبْسٌ فِي الْإِنَاءِ أَمْ عَسَلٌ؟»
Is the substance in the vessel syrup or honey?
The operative uncertainty is the substance's identity, not merely whether anything exists in the vessel. The answer is “syrup” or “honey,” not a bare yes or no. Distinguishing the requested form of an answer is a reliable way to distinguish conception-seeking from confirmation-seeking questions.