The Constraint On VP Deletion
Kuno posits the following constraint:
(16) The Constraint on VP Deletion
VP deletion can apply only to the VP that is VP-final.
Kuno's constraint requires us to distinguish between (i) the VP that is VP-final (= the VP-final VP), and (ii) the VP that is not VP-final (= the VP-nonfinal VP):
(17)
a. Did he hit her?
b. Yes, he hit her.
c. Yes, he did [e].
(18)
a. Why did he want to go to Paris?
b. He wanted to go there because Mary was there.
c. He wanted to [e] because Mary was there.
(19)
a. DId he hit her with a belt?
b. Yes, he hit her with a belt.
c. *Yes, he did [e] with a belt.
(20)
a. Why did he hit her?
b. He hit her because he hated her.
c. *He did [e] because he hated her.
According to Kuno's constraint, the underlined part of (17b) is a VP-final VP. Therefore, it can be deleted, as in (17c). The underlined part of (18b) is also a VP-final VP because go there and because Mary was there are not in a single constituent. Therefore, the underlined part can be deleted, as in (18c). The underlined part of (19b) is not a VP-final VP, because hit her and with a belt are in a single constituent. Therefore, the underlined part cannot be deleted, as shown in (19c). The underlined part of (20b) is not a VP-final VP, because hit her and because he hated her are in a single constituent. The constrast of the because-clause of (18) and the because-clause of (20) is very confusing.
Top answer
anonymous The constrast of the because-clause of (18) and the because-clause of (20) is very confusing. It certainly is. And in fact, (18) seems a bit out of place because there is no do substitution, which we see in all the other examples.
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anonymousThe constrast of the because-clause of (18) and the because-clause of (20) is very confusing.
It certainly is. And in fact, (18) seems a bit out of place because there is no do substitution, which we see in all the other examples. I can't say that I find this series of examples the best way to illustrate the point.
In any case, the o
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