Bestimmende

Bestimmende is a term used in German-language linguistics and philosophy to refer to the elements within a noun phrase that determine or specify its reference. The word is formed from the verb bestimmen (to determine) and is often used in scholarly contexts as a noun to denote the class of items that limit a noun’s reference. The form Bestimmende can function as a singular or plural noun depending on grammatical usage, and it is commonly discussed in relation to determiner-like elements in noun phrases.

In linguistic theory, Bestimmende typically include determiners, demonstratives, possessives, numerals, and, in some analyses, certain adjectives that restrict reference. Examples include der Mann (the man), dieses Buch (this book), mein Auto (my car), zwei Häuser (two houses). The precise status of some adjectives as Bestimmende varies by theory: some frameworks treat the definite or near-definite elements as part of the determiner system, while others view adjectives as independent modifiers that may or may not function as Bestimmende depending on context.

The concept is closely tied to debates about the structure of the noun phrase and the role of the determiner in various languages. In generative grammar, Bestimmende are often discussed as part of the determiner phrase (DP), where the determiner head or its functional projection carries the determiner’s reference-limiting force. Some scholars argue for a strict separation between determiners and adjectives, while others acknowledge cross-linguistic overlap where certain adjectives behave like determining elements in specific constructions.

Beyond linguistics, the term Bestimmende can also appear in philosophy or social sciences to denote determinant factors or defining elements that shape outcomes or classifications. See also: determiner, determiner phrase, determiner in noun phrases, specifying element.

See also: Determiner, Determiner phrase, Noun phrase, Specifier, Determinant.