Definite
Revision as of 16:04, 6 June 2008 by Haspelmath (talk | contribs) (New page: '''Definite''' NPs are NPs whose referent can be uniquely identified by the hearer. Unique identifiability occurs under two main kinds of circumstances: One of these is in anaphoric si...)
Definite NPs are NPs whose referent can be uniquely identified by the hearer. Unique identifiability occurs under two main kinds of circumstances: One of these is in anaphoric situations, to refer back to something mentioned in the preceding discourse (e.g. I bought a new bicycle... My husband likes the bicycle). The other is in associative contexts, to refer to something that is not mentioned in the preceding discourse but that is identifiable because of an associatative relationship (e.g. I bought a new bicycle. The saddle is very comfortable).
Other languages
German definit
