PRO

From Glottopedia
Revision as of 10:30, 20 June 2007 by Linguipedia (talk | contribs) (New page: {{stub}} In Chomskyan syntax, '''PRO''' (also called '''big PRO''', to distinguish it from pro in speech) is a null noun phrase that occurs in a position where it does not get case...)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
STUB


In Chomskyan syntax, PRO (also called big PRO, to distinguish it from pro in speech) is a null noun phrase that occurs in a position where it does not get case (or gets null case). PRO's meaning is determined by control.

Example

PRO is posited in particular for the notional subject of infinitives:

  • Masha asked Jaime [PRO to help her].

Origin

PRO was introduced by Chomsky 1981.

References

  • Chomsky, Noam. 1981. Lectures in Government and Binding. Dordrecht: Foris.
  • Vanden Wyngaerd, Guido. 1994. PRO-Legomena: Distribution and reference of infinitival subjects. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.