Protasis (linguistics)
Encyclopedia
In linguistics
, a protasis is the subordinate clause
(the if-clause) in a conditional sentence
. For example, in "if X, then Y", the protasis is "if X". The other clause ("then Y") is called the apodosis
.
In logic
, the apodosis corresponds to the consequent
, the protasis to the antecedent
.
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
, a protasis is the subordinate clause
Clause
In grammar, a clause is the smallest grammatical unit that can express a complete proposition. In some languages it may be a pair or group of words that consists of a subject and a predicate, although in other languages in certain clauses the subject may not appear explicitly as a noun phrase,...
(the if-clause) in a conditional sentence
Conditional sentence
In grammar, conditional sentences are sentences discussing factual implications or hypothetical situations and their consequences. Languages use a variety of conditional constructions and verb forms to form such sentences....
. For example, in "if X, then Y", the protasis is "if X". The other clause ("then Y") is called the apodosis
Apodosis
Apodosis may refer to:*In linguistics, the main clause in a conditional sentence*In logic, the apodosis corresponds to the consequent; ....
.
In logic
Logic
In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...
, the apodosis corresponds to the consequent
Consequent
A consequent is the second half of a hypothetical proposition. In the standard form of such a proposition, it is the part that follows "then".Examples:* If P, then Q.Q is the consequent of this hypothetical proposition....
, the protasis to the antecedent
Antecedent (logic)
An antecedent is the first half of a hypothetical proposition.Examples:* If P, then Q.This is a nonlogical formulation of a hypothetical proposition...
.
Examples of protases
- "...if you had slept well last night."
- "...if I were a better person..."
- "...if x < y."
- "If you should go to the circus."
- "If you value our friendship..."