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Predication and Pro

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 March 2026

Norbert Hornstein  and
David Lightfoot
Norbert Hornstein
Affiliation:
University of Maryland
David Lightfoot
Affiliation:
University of Maryland
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Abstract

The comprehensive theory of predication developed by Williams (1980, 1982, 1983) subsumes a wide range of phenomena, but contains some internal problems. An alternative account is presented here which does not postulate a distinct level of Predicate Structure, but assumes that pro may be governed. This entails new analyses of small clauses and control phenomena, and leads to a revision of the conditions under which empty elements may occur.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Language , Volume 63 , Issue 1 , March 1987 , pp. 23 - 52
Copyright
Copyright © 1987 Linguistic Society of America

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Footnotes

*

We are grateful to Joseph Aoun, Peter Coopmans, Lori Davis, Luigi Rizzi, Tim Stowell, and Amy Weinberg for helpful discussions on an earlier version of this paper, as well as to audiences at MIT, the universities of British Columbia, Washington, and Utrecht.

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