PRO

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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.

Other languages

German PRO (de)

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