LessonsStates of the Subject: Omission, Mention and Pronominal DefinitenessQuiz

Omission may prepare the way for a subsequent statement, or suggest that the subject is so well known that naming it would be unnecessary. The second effect approaches claiming obvious identification (ادعاء التعيين): the referent is treated as already determined in the audience’s understanding.

أو ادعاء التعيين
Or to imply that the intended referent is already identified.

In an extended discussion of a well-known person, «أَحْسَنَ وَأَصَابَ»—“[He] acted well and judged correctly”—may be understood without a repeated name.

A vital distinction remains between presenting something as identifiable and actually providing enough evidence for identification. The speaker's assumption that everyone knows is not an adequate indication if the audience has lost track of the subject.

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Preparing the audience and implying identification

States of the Subject: Omission, Mention and Pronominal Definiteness

Omission may prepare the way for a subsequent statement, or suggest that the subject is so well known that naming it would be unnecessary. The second effect approaches claiming obvious identification (ادعاء التعيين): the referent is treated as already determined in the audience’s understanding.

أو ادعاء التعيين
Or to imply that the intended referent is already identified.

In an extended discussion of a well-known person, «أَحْسَنَ وَأَصَابَ»—“[He] acted well and judged correctly”—may be understood without a repeated name.

A vital distinction remains between presenting something as identifiable and actually providing enough evidence for identification. The speaker's assumption that everyone knows is not an adequate indication if the audience has lost track of the subject.