LessonsStates of the Subject: Proper Names, Prior-Reference Article and AnnexationQuiz

For each example distinguish grammatical mode from rhetorical motive:
1. «زَيْدٌ قَادِمٌ» — Zayd is coming: identification by proper name.
2. «الْمُعَلِّمُ قَادِمٌ» — The teacher is coming: prior-reference article when a teacher is already known.
3. «أُسْتَاذُنَا قَادِمٌ» — Our teacher is coming: identification through annexation to a pronoun.
4. Using an established honorific title: identification potentially combined with praise or reverence.

‘Proper name,’ ‘prior-reference article,’ and ‘annexation’ describe forms of definiteness. ‘Honor’ describes a rhetorical motive that can accompany such forms. The distinction prepares for the next discussion, definiteness by a relative expression (الموصولية).

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Integrated practice on four fine distinctions

States of the Subject: Proper Names, Prior-Reference Article and Annexation

For each example distinguish grammatical mode from rhetorical motive:
1. «زَيْدٌ قَادِمٌ» — Zayd is coming: identification by proper name.
2. «الْمُعَلِّمُ قَادِمٌ» — The teacher is coming: prior-reference article when a teacher is already known.
3. «أُسْتَاذُنَا قَادِمٌ» — Our teacher is coming: identification through annexation to a pronoun.
4. Using an established honorific title: identification potentially combined with praise or reverence.

‘Proper name,’ ‘prior-reference article,’ and ‘annexation’ describe forms of definiteness. ‘Honor’ describes a rhetorical motive that can accompany such forms. The distinction prepares for the next discussion, definiteness by a relative expression (الموصولية).