Difference between revisions of "Expletive noun phrase"
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An '''expletive (noun phrase)''' is a [[noun phrase]] (mostly a [[pronoun]]-like element) that occupies a syntactic position, but has no [[semantic role]]. | An '''expletive (noun phrase)''' is a [[noun phrase]] (mostly a [[pronoun]]-like element) that occupies a syntactic position, but has no [[semantic role]]. | ||
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| + | '''Expletive''' is a grammatical element having no semantic content and occurring in [[theta-bar position]]s. | ||
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===Examples=== | ===Examples=== | ||
The best-known expletive is the English ''it'' in [[ambient construction]]s like ''it is raining'', and in [[extraposition]] constructions like ''It is nice that you managed to come.'' | The best-known expletive is the English ''it'' in [[ambient construction]]s like ''it is raining'', and in [[extraposition]] constructions like ''It is nice that you managed to come.'' | ||
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| + | ''there'' in (i) and ''it'' in (ii) are expletives. | ||
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| + | (i) ''There'' is a man in the room | ||
| + | (ii) ''It'' seems that John is ill | ||
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| + | ===Synonym=== | ||
| + | [[dummy noun phrase]] | ||
===Origin=== | ===Origin=== | ||
This usage seems to date only from the 1970s. | This usage seems to date only from the 1970s. | ||
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| + | === Link === | ||
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| + | [http://www2.let.uu.nl/UiL-OTS/Lexicon/zoek.pl?lemma=Expletive&lemmacode=799 Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics] | ||
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| + | === References === | ||
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| + | * Chomsky, N. 1993. ''A Minimalist Program for Linguistic Theory,'' MIT occasional papers in linguistics, 1-67. Reprinted in: Chomsky (1995). | ||
| + | * Chomsky, N. 1986a. ''Knowledge of language: its nature, origin and use,'' Praeger, New York. | ||
| + | * Chomsky, N. 1981. ''Lectures on Government and Binding,'' Foris, Dordrecht. | ||
{{dc}} | {{dc}} | ||
[[Category:Syntax]] | [[Category:Syntax]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:16, 13 February 2009
| STUB |
An expletive (noun phrase) is a noun phrase (mostly a pronoun-like element) that occupies a syntactic position, but has no semantic role.
Expletive is a grammatical element having no semantic content and occurring in theta-bar positions.
Examples
The best-known expletive is the English it in ambient constructions like it is raining, and in extraposition constructions like It is nice that you managed to come.
there in (i) and it in (ii) are expletives.
(i) There is a man in the room (ii) It seems that John is ill
Synonym
Origin
This usage seems to date only from the 1970s.
Link
Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics
References
- Chomsky, N. 1993. A Minimalist Program for Linguistic Theory, MIT occasional papers in linguistics, 1-67. Reprinted in: Chomsky (1995).
- Chomsky, N. 1986a. Knowledge of language: its nature, origin and use, Praeger, New York.
- Chomsky, N. 1981. Lectures on Government and Binding, Foris, Dordrecht.
