Article published in:
Current Issues in Generative Hebrew LinguisticsEdited by Sharon Armon-Lotem, Gabi Danon and Susan Rothstein
[Linguistik Aktuell/Linguistics Today 134] 2008
► pp. 77–104
Object gap constructions
Externalization and operator movement
The embedded constituent of Hebrew object gap constructions (e.g., the Tough Construction) is nominal rather than verbal, introduced obligatorily by the prepositional element le- (to). I show that the gap in Hebrew is unlikely to be created by Op-movement. Rather, based on the properties of the nominal, I propose that the object gap nominal in Hebrew is formed by Externalization of the internal argument. Departing from the familiar analysis of the English Tough Construction, I argue that to of the English object gap constituent is not a T(ense) head, and that this constituent does not have a subject position. Consequently, I suggest that the English object gap constituent is a projection of to, whose specifier is the landing site for Op-movement.
Published online: 19 December 2008
https://doi.org/10.1075/la.134.04obj
https://doi.org/10.1075/la.134.04obj