The Omitted Element in the Arabic Sentence: A Grammatical and Semantic Study

Abstract

This research examines the omitted element in the Arabic sentence from both grammatical and semantic perspectives, considering it an essential and inherent feature of the Arabic linguistic system. The study explores the concept of omission as defined by classical and modern grammarians, its various types, and its crucial role in achieving coherence, brevity, and eloquence. The research adopts a descriptive–analytical method, analyzing selected texts from the Holy Qur’an and classical Arabic poetry within grammatical and semantic frameworks. It concludes that omission in Arabic is not merely a stylistic phenomenon but rather a cognitive and linguistic mechanism based on contextual inference, contributing to the richness and depth of meaning. The study finds that omission operates within precise contextual clues that prevent ambiguity, and that it represents one of the most eloquent forms of linguistic economy, reflecting the expressive genius of the Arabic language and the harmony between structure and meaning. The study also recommends expanding applied research on ellipsis and encouraging comparative studies between Arabic and other languages to explore shared features and semantic differences.