In this study I explore the structure and meaning of partitive constructions. I investigate the relation between partitivity and specificity, and argue that partitives in Classical/Standard Arabic manifest the same type of ambiguity with regard to specificity that is manifested by regular indefinite noun phrases. I also shed light on a phenomenon that has never been noticed in the literature. Specifically, I uncover a use of the nominal –n suffix that has never been brought to light before.

This paper investigates the constraints that underlie the licensing of negative polarity items in Classical/Standard Arabic, aspiring to be the first study that provides a comprehensive account that defines the condition under which those items are licensed in that language. I demonstrate that negative polarity items are licensed only in non-veridical contexts in Classical/Standard Arabic.

This paper investigates the specificity of indefinite subjects in Classical/Standard Arabic. It is argued that the specific interpretation of an indefinite NP doesn't correlate with its subject position. Specifically, I contend that an indefinite subject can be specific inside the nuclear scope of a sentence. It is maintained, furthermore, that the proposal that verb movement extends the nuclear scope of a quantificational structure doesn’t find support in the Classical/Standard Arabic data.