Left peripheral deletion, object gapping and the internal structure of serial verb constructions

Abstract

This paper is mainly concerned with left peripheral deletion, object gapping and the internal structure of serial verb constructions (SVCs). SVCs arise from the deletion of the conjunction between two clauses and left peripheral deletion. Left peripheral deletion triggers the movement of VP1’s Spec to the Spec of IP and the occurrence of VP2’s Spec as pro, as a result of which VP1 asymmetrically c-commands VP2. Object gapping triggers the ATB movement of VP2 to generate various types of SVCs. It is argued that the differences between coordinative constructions, pivotal constructions and SVCs lie in their internal structure but not in the verb position.

Key concepts: left peripheral deletion; object gapping; asymmetrical c-command; ATB movement; Verb position