Movement and Chains
Norbert Hornstein · Syntax · 1998
A line of thought within the Minimalist Program proceeds as follows: the objects interpreted at the interface determine the units of syntactic manipulation. This paper argues that chains are not proper units for determining relative quantifier scope and so should not be thought of as proper syntactic objects. This conclusion is buttressed by the claim that once θ‐features are allowed into the theory, a conclusion independently required once control is considered, then chains are redundant objects that can be seen as violating the Inclusiveness Condition. The paper presents a theory that dispenses with chains. This requires syntactic innovations that are examined.