Ellipsis
Assignment 5

Noun Phrase Ellipsis

The following are examples of what is called Noun Phrase Ellipsis:

(1)  We have no better theory of ellipsis, so let's adopt Chomsky's.

(2)  If there's not enough gas in your brother's, you can borrow this motorcycle.

1.  Investigate NPE.  What exactly is elided?  Does there need to be a licensing
    head?  Does NPE go backward in coordinate structures?

2.  Answer the following questions about NPE:

    (a)  Is it unbounded?
         (Meaning, can the ellipsis site and the antecedent be unboundedly
         far apart?)

    (b)  Does it obey island constraints?
         (Can the ellipsis site be in an island that does not contain the
         antecedent?  Can the antecedent be in an island that does not contain
         the ellipsis site?)

3.  Answer the same questions about VPE.

If you have not taken Syntax II, get next to someone who has.