Modality and ellipsis diachronic and synchronic evidence - Gergel, Remus 1974- (Mouton de Gruyter, 2009)
Includes bibliographical references (pages 232-256) and index
Preface -- List of abbreviations -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Modals and ellipsis in the architecture of grammar -- 3. Towards an account of VP ellipsis -- 4. Modals and ellipsis in diachronic change -- 5. Modals and ellipsis in synchrony -- 6. Conclusion -- References -- Index
Aspects of modality and ellipsis have become prominent in theoretical linguistics over the last years. What has remained under-investigated is the fact that modals tend to make excellent ellipsis licensers and, conversely, that many of the naturally occurring cases of ellipsis are licensed by modals. The book concentrates on the syntax of the modal auxiliaries with special focus on English and investigates the grammatical relationship with the process of ellipsis that interacts most relevantly with the modals in grammaticalized fashion by including a special emphasis on verb-phrase ellipsis. Af