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Alternatives to the Tensed S and specified subject conditions

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Abstract

The original evidence advanced to support the Tensed S Condition (TSC) and the Specified Subject Condition (SSC) in Chomsky's ‘Conditions on Transformations’ is reconsidered and viable alternatives to these constraints are provided. It is shown that TSC and SSC, in some instances, lead to a loss of linguistically significant generalization. Satisfactory alternatives can account for the relevant range of data and provide a more general account of additional data. Finally, counterevidence to Subjacency and Superiority is adduced, but explicit alternatives to these conditions are not offered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Washington, USA

    Michael K. Brame

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  1. Michael K. Brame
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A preliminary draft of this paper was written in the winter of 1975 and constituted the subject matter of a seminar given at the University of Washington during the fall of 1975. I wish to thank the students and faculty who participated for their comments and discussion. I also want to thank C. L. Baker, I. Bordelois, J. Bresnan, H. van Riemsdijk, and the two anonymous readers for their comments.

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Brame, M.K. Alternatives to the Tensed S and specified subject conditions. Linguistics and Philosophy 1, 381–411 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00353455

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