● Adding or omitting al- on the noun pointed to creates an important difference in meaning:
1. Demonstrative phrase (incomplete): When the noun pointed to has al-, the meaning remains incomplete:
■ هٰذَا الْوَلَدُ -> this boy (an incomplete expression).
■ تِلْكَ الْبِنْتُ -> that girl.
2. Nominal sentence (complete): When al- is absent and the predicate is indefinite, it becomes a complete sentence:
■ هٰذَا وَلَدٌ -> This is a boy.
■ تِلْكَ بِنْتٌ -> That is a girl.
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The Fine Difference between a Demonstrative Phrase and a Complete Nominal Sentence
Rules and Practical Exercises for Demonstrative Phrases
● Adding or omitting al- on the noun pointed to creates an important difference in meaning:
1. Demonstrative phrase (incomplete): When the noun pointed to has al-, the meaning remains incomplete:
■ هٰذَا الْوَلَدُ -> this boy (an incomplete expression).
■ تِلْكَ الْبِنْتُ -> that girl.
2. Nominal sentence (complete): When al- is absent and the predicate is indefinite, it becomes a complete sentence:
■ هٰذَا وَلَدٌ -> This is a boy.
■ تِلْكَ بِنْتٌ -> That is a girl.