Editing Zero copula (section)

===Arabic===
In [[Arabic language|Arabic]], a [[Semitic language]], the use of the zero copula again depends on the context. In the present tense affirmative, when the subject is [[definite]] and the predicate is [[indefinite article|indefinite]], the subject is simply juxtaposed with its predicate. When both the subject and the predicate are [[definite]], a [[pronoun]] ([[agreement (grammar)|agreeing]] with the subject) may be inserted between the two. For example:
*{{lang|ar|محمد مهندس|rtl=yes}} ({{lang|ar-Latn|Muḥammad muhandis}}), "Muhammad is an engineer" (lit. "Muhammad an-engineer")
*{{lang|ar|محمد هو المهندس|rtl=yes}} ({{lang|ar-Latn|Muḥammad huwa l-muhandis}}), "Muhammad is the engineer' (lit. "Muhammad he the-engineer")

The extra pronoun is highly recommended in order for one not to confuse the predicate for a qualifying adjective:
*{{lang|ar|محمد المهندس|rtl=yes}} ({{lang|ar-Latn|Muḥammad al-muhandis}}), "Muhammad the engineer'
(This is just a [[noun phrase]] with no copula. See ''[[al-]]'' for more on the use of definite and indefinite nouns in Arabic and how it affects the copula.)

In the past tense, however, or in the present tense negative, the verbs {{lang|ar-Latn|kāna}} and {{lang|ar-Latn|laysa}} are used, which take the [[accusative case]]:
*{{lang|ar|كان محمد مهندسًا|rtl=yes}} ({{lang|ar-Latn|Kāna Muḥammad muhandisan}}), "Muhammad was an engineer' ({{lang|ar-Latn|kāna}} = "(he) was") (literally "be it Muhammad an-engineer")
*{{lang|ar|محمد ليس مهندسًا|rtl=yes}} ({{lang|ar-Latn|Muḥammad laysa muhandisan}}), "Muhammad is not an engineer' (lit. "Muhammad is not an-engineer")

When the copula is expressed with a verb, no pronoun need be inserted, regardless of the definiteness of the predicate:
*{{lang|ar|محمد ليس بالمهندس|rtl=yes}} ({{lang|ar-Latn|Muḥammad laysa bi-l-muhandis}}), "Muhammad is not the engineer' (lit. "Muhammad is not of the-engineer")

[[Hebrew]], another [[Semitic language]], uses zero copula in a very similar way.