Indicessuch

Indicessuch is a term used in linguistics to describe a class of demonstrative determiner expressions that select a referent by invoking a previously described class or exemplar within discourse, effectively meaning "of the kind just mentioned." The construction typically involves phrases such as "such X" or "such a Y," and may occur in clauses like "such X that..." When used, indicessuch signals that the referent belongs to a set defined by a property or description already established in the prior discourse.

Semantically, indicessuch is often analyzed as carrying a presupposition about the prior mention of an exemplar that satisfies the described property and as requiring the listener to identify a subset of referents fitting the description. The exact scope can vary: "We should address such concerns" may refer to concerns previously identified, while "There were such people who..." suggests a broader category. The expression can interact with context to determine whether the reference is narrow (a few instances) or broad (a whole class).

In practice, indicessuch is not a standard label in all grammars; it is a descriptive term used in theoretical discussions to analyze the behavior of "such" constructions and related phrases like "such as" that introduce exemplars. It helps capture how speakers point to a category defined by prior description rather than to a single, concrete entity.

See also: demonstratives, the determiner "such," presupposition, discourse reference, and semantic scope.