LessonsThe Predicate as a Single Expression: Causal Linkage, Clauses, Verbs and NounsQuiz

A new predicate can be analyzed systematically:
1. Identify the main subject.
2. Determine whether its predicate is a non-clausal expression or an entire clause.
3. Ask whether the content belongs directly to that subject or to a related entity.
4. Determine the relevant effect: reinforcement, temporal occurrence, renewal or established quality.

ExamplePrincipal analysis
زَيْدٌ قَائِمٌNon-causal single predicate, standing as a quality
زَيْدٌ قَامَNon-causal verbal clause, past occurrence
زَيْدٌ قَامَ أَبُوهُCausal verbal clause, father's action
زَيْدٌ أَبُوهُ مُنْطَلِقٌCausal nominal clause, father's condition

Changing the predicate while retaining the same initial subject alters the center, temporal character and rhetorical mode of the attribution.

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An integrated method for classifying predicates

The Predicate as a Single Expression: Causal Linkage, Clauses, Verbs and Nouns

A new predicate can be analyzed systematically:
1. Identify the main subject.
2. Determine whether its predicate is a non-clausal expression or an entire clause.
3. Ask whether the content belongs directly to that subject or to a related entity.
4. Determine the relevant effect: reinforcement, temporal occurrence, renewal or established quality.

ExamplePrincipal analysis
زَيْدٌ قَائِمٌNon-causal single predicate, standing as a quality
زَيْدٌ قَامَNon-causal verbal clause, past occurrence
زَيْدٌ قَامَ أَبُوهُCausal verbal clause, father's action
زَيْدٌ أَبُوهُ مُنْطَلِقٌCausal nominal clause, father's condition

Changing the predicate while retaining the same initial subject alters the center, temporal character and rhetorical mode of the attribution.