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A tough object to trace

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2008

Randolph Quirk
Randolph Quirk
Affiliation:
University College London
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Extract

where t is the ‘trace’ of the (wh) object and where wh becomes obligatorily null (cf. 23) in the ‘infinitival relative’ (and the ‘complementizer’ for as well if the infinitive has no subject, such as you in this instance)

Among the numerous constructions, disparate on the face of it, that Chomsky insightfully brings together in this paper is ‘that of the infinitival complements of easy, etc.’ (47) which he sees as having ‘an embedded S … with an obligatory PRO subject’ (48). I do not wish to comment1 on the merits or otherwise of such an analysis but only to question ‘the assumption that the complement clause’ in

Information

Type
Notes and Discussions
Information
Journal of Linguistics , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , March 1977 , pp. 99 - 102
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

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References

REFERENCES

Bolinger, D. (1974). *John's easiness to please. Bertil Malrnberg Festschrtft. Heidelberg: Groos.Google Scholar
Chomsky, N. (1975). Reflections on language. New York: Random House.Google Scholar
Chomsky, N. (1976). On Wh-Movement. Mimeo; forthcoming in Akmajian, A. et al.,Formal syntax. New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Greenbaum, S. (1969). Studies in English adverbial usage. London: Longman.Google Scholar