It would be well to ask first of all what the intention of this thesis is, and what is its aim. Perhaps the answer can best be summed up in the one word "why? " A large number of competent grammars have been written by scholars, both Oriental and Western, which deal at varying lengths with the various aspects of Arabic grammar. However, most'-of these works give only the rules for the various syntactical points: this work is concerned with trying to establish why and not simply when, the accusative is used, and the depth of the Arabs' thought into their grammar and its analysis. This is not an endeavour to write another grammar, but of necessity much of what the grammarians had to say must be reproduced, since no analysis can be made until the facts have been revealed.