Adjectival Constructs in Standard Arabic

Abstract

This study focuses on two constructs in Arabic; adjectival genitive constructs and adjectival constructs with a possession clitic. They have been previously studied in Kremers (2003) and Fassi (1999); however, the distinction in between is not clear. This study shows how they are syntactically different. Following the spell-out algorithm (Chomsky 2001), I show that only the adjectival genitive construct should be a spell-out domain. Being a spell-out domain prevents accessing this domain after shipping it to interfaces. Therefore, word insertion and optional number agreement are prevented in the construct that forms a spell-out domain, which is the adjectival genitive construct.