Empty category

Empty category

In syntax, an empty category is a nominal element which does not have any phonological content and is therefore unpronounced; they may also be referred to as covert nouns, in contrast to overt nouns which are prounounced. There are four types of empty category: NP-trace, Wh-trace, PRO, and "pro". The types of empty category are differentiated by their two binding features, namely the anaphoric feature [a] and the pronominal feature [p] . The four possible combinations of plus or minus values for these features yield the four types of empty category.

Generation of empty categories

Not all empty categories enter the derivation of a sentence at the same point. Both NP-trace and Wh-trace, as evidenced by their names, are only generated as the result of movement operations. Conversely, both PRO and "pro" are not the result of movement and must be base-generated. In both the GB and minimalism frameworks, the only method of base-generation is lexical insertion, so both PRO and "pro" are held to be entries in the mental lexicon.


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