Abstract
On the basis of an asymmetry between VP-deletion and pseudogapping, Merchant (2008a) concludes that ellipsis is conditioned by syntax. This article demonstrates that both pseudogapping and VP-deletion potentially allow voice mismatch. The unacceptable cases of voice mismatch in these constructions are attributed to a discourse factor (Kehler 2000, 2002). Nevertheless, since sluicing does not allow voice mismatch (Merchant 2001, 2007) even in the same context that allows voice mismatch in VP-ellipsis, Merchant's (2007, 2008a) conclusion is still valid. A syntactic condition on ellipsis is proposed, based on a semantic condition from Takahashi and Fox 2005. Kehler's discourse explanation is phrased in a revised format.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 470-490 |
| Number of pages | 21 |
| Journal | Linguistic Inquiry |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 18 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Conditions on ellipsis
- Pseudogapping
- Sluicing
- VP-ellipsis
- Voice
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Language and Linguistics
- Linguistics and Language
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Cite this
Tanaka, H. (2011). Voice mismatch and syntactic identity. Linguistic Inquiry, 42(3), 470-490. https://doi.org/10.1162/LING_a_00054