Proper Binding Condition

Definition

A syntactic condition that movement must target a c-commanding position.

Example

√ calf as the head of the object NP can move to HAVE because movement is known to obey the Proper Binding Condition. In (i), V c-commands N, so the nominal root may move to the light verb as desired.

 (i)		VP
                / \
               /   \
 	      V     NP
              |     |
 	      |     N'
              |     |
 	      |     N
              |     |
            HAVE   √calf
 

References

• Fiengo, Robert. 1977. On trace theory. Linguistic Inquiry 8: 35–62.
• Huang, C. T. J., Li, Y. H. A., & Li, Y. (2009). The syntax of Chinese (Vol. 10). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Lasnik, Howard and Mamoru Saito. 1993. Move 〈 : conditions on its application and output. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.