The syntax and licensing of Gapping and Fragments

Doctoral Thesis

This dissertation investigates the syntax and distribution of Gapping and Fragments, as well as the movements involved in ellipsis contexts in general. In the first part, it is argued that the syntax of Gapping and Fragments is identical. In the second part it is argued that the licensing condition on ellipsis holds at the discourse component and that, from a discourse perspective, the distribution of Gapping and Fragments is identical. The main claim of this study, then, is that Gapping and Fragments should not be formally distinguished in a theory of ellipsis. The final part of this dissertation is concerned with the movements of the remnant elements of ellipsis. Answers are provided to questions such as why these movements are often impossible in non-elliptical contexts and what it is that triggers these movements

Ellipsis

Gapping

Fragments

Licensing condition

Exceptional movement