Qurʾānic Exceptive Phrases: The Case of the ʾin…ʾillā Construction

Al-istiṯnāʾ al-mufarraġ “the elliptical exclusion” is the least common of all Arabic exceptives, which are considered to be composed of connected, disconnected, full and elliptical exclusions. This study provides an in-depth systematic analysis of the semantics, syntax and pragmatics entering into the governing conditions of one form of al-istiṯnāʾ al-mufarraġ: the ʾin…ʾillā patterns in the Qurʾān. It has two major functions in elliptical exclusion: ʾillā serves as an exceptive or adversative particle if preceded by a verbal phrase and as a conjunction which is used to convert or replace an argument if preceded by a noun phrase. Translators tend to assume that ʾin…ʾillā and ʾinnamā constructions are merely assertions, affirmations or restrictions. It is shown here however that ʾin…ʾillā constructions have no restrictive meaning, and that they differ semantically and grammatically from ʾinnamā constructions.