The Predicate Restriction in Najdi Arabic: A Theoretical Perspective

Abstract One of the grammatical properties of the existential sentence is the predicate restriction, which states that only stage-level predicates are allowed in the coda position of the existential sentence; individual-level predicates are disallowed. This restriction has shown to be available in some languages but absent in others. The purpose of this theoretical study is twofold: firstly, to explore the availability of the effect of the predicate restriction in the existential sentence of Najdi Arabic; and secondly, to provide an account for its interesting behaviour. Assuming that the phrasal coda is a secondary predicative adjunct, it has been concluded that the predicate restriction is available in Najdi Arabic existential sentence. Only stage-level predicates are permitted in the coda position, whereas individual-level predicates are disallowed. The paper goes on to show that the ostensibly possible occurrence of individuallevel predicates in the existential sentence of Najdi Arabic may be ascribed to the fact that these adjective phrases are postnominal modifiers, rather than secondary predicates.