Constraints on intra- and extraposition
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Markus Bader
Abstract
Complement clauses in German are subject to two conflicting requirements. First, the grammar requires complements to precede the clause-final verb. Second, considerations of parsing complexity require clausal complements to move rightward to a position following the clause-final verb, thereby avoiding center-embedding. We explore how the two major types of infinitival complement clauses – infinitival complements of modal and control verbs – behave with regard to the tension created by these two conflicting requirements. Based on two grammaticality judgment experiments – one for each type of infinitival complementation – we argue that the observable pattern of intra-and extraposition, including certain mixed cases, is best understood as a gradual relaxation of the grammar-internal OV constraint in reaction to parsing pressure.
Abstract
Complement clauses in German are subject to two conflicting requirements. First, the grammar requires complements to precede the clause-final verb. Second, considerations of parsing complexity require clausal complements to move rightward to a position following the clause-final verb, thereby avoiding center-embedding. We explore how the two major types of infinitival complement clauses – infinitival complements of modal and control verbs – behave with regard to the tension created by these two conflicting requirements. Based on two grammaticality judgment experiments – one for each type of infinitival complementation – we argue that the observable pattern of intra-and extraposition, including certain mixed cases, is best understood as a gradual relaxation of the grammar-internal OV constraint in reaction to parsing pressure.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Introduction by the editors 1
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Part I. Empirical perspective
- Constraints on intra- and extraposition 63
- Subclausal locality constraints on relative clause extraposition 99
- Constraints on relative clause extraposition in English 145
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Part II. The Minimalist Perspective
- Rightward movement, EPP and specifiers 175
- Neglected cases of rightward movement 211
- Rightward movement from a different perspective 243
- Cumulative rightward processes 281
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Part III. Other Theoretical Perspectives
- A dynamic perspective on left-right asymmetries 321
- On the locality of complement clause and relative clause extraposition 369
-
Part IV. The Prosodic Perspective
- Extraposition of defocused and light PPs in English 399
- Prosodic constraints on extraposition in German 439
- Index 473
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Introduction by the editors 1
-
Part I. Empirical perspective
- Constraints on intra- and extraposition 63
- Subclausal locality constraints on relative clause extraposition 99
- Constraints on relative clause extraposition in English 145
-
Part II. The Minimalist Perspective
- Rightward movement, EPP and specifiers 175
- Neglected cases of rightward movement 211
- Rightward movement from a different perspective 243
- Cumulative rightward processes 281
-
Part III. Other Theoretical Perspectives
- A dynamic perspective on left-right asymmetries 321
- On the locality of complement clause and relative clause extraposition 369
-
Part IV. The Prosodic Perspective
- Extraposition of defocused and light PPs in English 399
- Prosodic constraints on extraposition in German 439
- Index 473
