AS RELATIVES

ORA MATUSHANSKY

Abstract

Proceedings of IATL 26

In this paper I analyze the syntax and semantics of the two types of comparative clauses associated with the functional adjective same: those appearing with the complementizer as and those appearing with the complementizer that. I will argue that the difference between the two is the degree of pied-piping: while as-clauses involve the movement of a null wh-operator out of the left periphery of a DP to [Spec, CP], that-clauses are simply relative clauses, with the entire DP pied-piped to [Spec, CP]. As a result, we explain why as-clauses require VP-ellipsis on the assumption that PF violations can be repaired by ellipsis. I will also discuss what additional assumptions need to be made in order to explain how both types of comparative clauses can satisfy the requirements of the adjective same.



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