Foundations of Generative Syntax

Abstract

Part 1 The study of syntax: introduction to the study of syntax the psychological interpretation of grammar. Part 2 Introduction to formal grammar: phrase structure analysis lexical insertion a theory of phrase structure the transformational structure of NP appendix - phrase structure grammar - a formal characterization. Part 3 Recursion, movement, and bounding: wh-movement and the structure of sentential constructions syntactic islands successive cyclic movement and conditions on rules and representations appendices - a brief historical comment on island constraints, a comment on the theory of transformations. Part 4 The English verbal auxiliary system: general properties of the verbal auxiliary system a transformational analysis of the verbal auxiliary system (1) the constituent structure of the verbal string a transformational analysis of the verbal auxiliary system (2) - interrogative and negative sentences the auxiliary do. Part 5 Infinitivals, case and government: case assignment case assignment and the subject of infinitival constructions lexical case phenomena. Part 6 The analysis of empty categories: subject traces in finite clauses empty categories and thematic structure alternative conditions on NP-movement the PRO/trace distinction. Part 7 Binding theory: lexical anaphors pronouns. Part 8 Extensions of binding theory: the assignment of indices binding theory and levels of representation binding theory and empty categories in lieu of a conclusion appendices - two types of crossover, the binding theoretic approach to empty categories.