Complex NP Constraint

Definition

The Complex NP Constraint is a syntactic principle in generative grammar that prohibits certain types of movement or extraction from within complex noun phrases (NPs). This means that when a noun phrase is modified by additional elements, like relative clauses or other determiners, certain constituents cannot be extracted or moved to the front of a sentence without violating grammaticality. This constraint highlights the limitations on how structures can be manipulated in the process of forming sentences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Complex NP Constraint specifically applies to cases where an NP is embedded within another structure, like a relative clause, preventing extraction of elements from it.
2. This constraint illustrates how different syntactic structures can impose restrictions on grammatical transformations.
3. In English, sentences like 'Who did you see the book that Mary wrote?' are ungrammatical due to the Complex NP Constraint, which prohibits moving 'who' out of the complex NP 'the book that Mary wrote'.
4. The presence of modifiers or embedded clauses within NPs increases the likelihood that movement will violate this constraint.
5. Understanding the Complex NP Constraint helps linguists analyze sentence structure and identify why certain sentences sound unnatural or incorrect.

Review Questions

• How does the Complex NP Constraint affect the movement of constituents within a sentence?
  • The Complex NP Constraint restricts the movement of elements from complex noun phrases, making certain transformations ungrammatical. When a noun phrase contains additional modifiers like relative clauses, attempting to extract constituents from it results in sentences that are not acceptable in standard grammar. This means that even if the extraction seems logically justified, the structural rules prevent it from occurring.
• Evaluate how the Complex NP Constraint interacts with the concept of movement in generative grammar.
  • The Complex NP Constraint reveals significant insights into generative grammar's treatment of syntax and structure. It demonstrates that while movement is a key operation in forming sentences, not all constituents can be freely moved without consideration of their syntactic environment. The interaction between movement and constraints like this one shapes our understanding of grammaticality and highlights the complexity of language structure.
• Assess the implications of the Complex NP Constraint for understanding linguistic theory and sentence processing.
  • The Complex NP Constraint has far-reaching implications for linguistic theory, particularly in understanding how syntax functions at deeper levels. It challenges theories that might suggest unrestricted movement by emphasizing structural limitations within language. Moreover, in terms of sentence processing, awareness of such constraints helps linguists predict and analyze how speakers understand and produce sentences. This understanding informs both theoretical frameworks and practical applications in fields such as language acquisition and psycholinguistics.

Related terms

Movement: A syntactic operation that involves relocating a constituent from one position to another within a sentence structure, often for purposes of achieving proper grammatical form.

Noun Phrase (NP): A phrase that consists of a noun and its modifiers, serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence.

Extraction: The process of removing a constituent from its original position in a sentence to create a new structure, often used in forming questions or relative clauses.