Adjectival inflection and the licensing of empty categories in DP

Abstract

This paper is about the licensing conditions on empty categories in DP, dealing in particular with the distribution of the null noun pro in adjectival contexts. I will show that N-pro is submitted to requirements of formal licensing and identification, in which inflexional morphology plays a crucial role. Under this scenario, the contrast between English and other languages with respect to N- pro can be attributed to the absence versus presence of inflexional morphology within the nominal domain.