LessonsStates of the Subject: Omission, Mention and Pronominal DefinitenessQuiz

After omission and mention, the book examines how the subject is made definite (تعريف). The first mode is pronominal definiteness (الإضمار): a pronoun refers to a speaker, an addressee, or a previously established referent. The context, antecedent, or another indication must make the intended referent identifiable.

وأما تعريفه: أي إيراد المسند إليه معرفة
Making the subject definite means expressing it as a definite expression; definiteness is treated first because it is the regular condition of the subject of predication.

Pronoun classExampleBasis of identification
Speakerأَنَا، نَحْنُWho is speaking
Addresseeأَنْتَ، أَنْتُمْThe person or group addressed
Absent referentهُوَ، هُمْAn antecedent or contextual cue

Printed page 140 discusses the determination of speaker and addressee and the role of a pronoun's referent, including the choice of an individual or group. Three things must remain distinct: using a pronoun, identifying its referent, and the rhetorical effect of that choice. Definiteness by proper name begins on printed page 141.

Opening interactive controls...

Making the subject definite through pronouns

States of the Subject: Omission, Mention and Pronominal Definiteness

After omission and mention, the book examines how the subject is made definite (تعريف). The first mode is pronominal definiteness (الإضمار): a pronoun refers to a speaker, an addressee, or a previously established referent. The context, antecedent, or another indication must make the intended referent identifiable.

وأما تعريفه: أي إيراد المسند إليه معرفة
Making the subject definite means expressing it as a definite expression; definiteness is treated first because it is the regular condition of the subject of predication.

Pronoun classExampleBasis of identification
Speakerأَنَا، نَحْنُWho is speaking
Addresseeأَنْتَ، أَنْتُمْThe person or group addressed
Absent referentهُوَ، هُمْAn antecedent or contextual cue

Printed page 140 discusses the determination of speaker and addressee and the role of a pronoun's referent, including the choice of an individual or group. Three things must remain distinct: using a pronoun, identifying its referent, and the rhetorical effect of that choice. Definiteness by proper name begins on printed page 141.