Up to this point, we have analyzed definite descriptions only by identifying component individual terms; now we will consider two ways of analyzing them to identify the descriptions from which they are formed.
8.4.1. Definite descriptions as quantifier phrases
On one approach, the definite description the X is a quantifier phrase that differs from the phrase a X by adding the claim there is at most one X.
8.4.2. Definite descriptions as individual terms
On another analysis, which yields a different account of their logical properties, definite descriptions are formed by an operation that applies to predicates to yield individual terms.
8.4.3. Examples: restrictive vs. non-restrictive relative clauses
The analysis of definite descriptions makes it possible to represent the distinction between restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses in the case of definite descriptions.