Construct · 1 fields · 1 citations

gapping: a standalone construct

One name. One construct. A landmark on the map.

● anchor · one construct, one field Nearest construct by meaning·not indexed
gapping1 CONSTRUCTGappingCOORDINATE ELLIPSIS

A single standalone construct; nearby constructs are located against it in the Collider. Tap a field for its definition, unit, and measures.

Syntax

A repeated verb is omitted in a second conjunct

In syntax, gapping is the ellipsis found in coordinated structures where the repeated verb (and sometimes more) is left out of the second conjunct (Alex ordered coffee, and Sam — tea), leaving the stranded remnants to pair with their counterparts in the first conjunct. Johnson's 2009 Gapping is not (VP-) ellipsis argues that gapping is a distinct process tied to coordination rather than a kind of verb-phrase ellipsis. The referent is a specific coordination-bound deletion with its own constraints on what may be omitted and what remnants survive.[1]

Unit
The omission of a repeated verb from a non-initial coordinated conjunct
Recovery means
Not applicable
Measured by
Studied through acceptability of remnant patterns, scope and binding in the gap, and contrasts with verb-phrase ellipsis

Next

Run it through the Collider, or take the citations with you.

See how gapping sits against neighbouring constructs in the Collider, or export every reference on this page in one click.

Open in ColliderExport BibTeXReport this entry

Nearby constructs

coordination4 fields · 4 citationsjingle · one word, four constructsellipsis2 fields · 2 citationsjingle · one word, two constructsprocess3 fields · 3 citationsjingle · one word, three constructs

References

  1. Johnson, K. (2009). Gapping is not (VP-) ellipsis. Linguistic Inquiry, 40(2), 289–328. https://doi.org/10.1162/ling.2009.40.2.289

Cited on this page?

Confirm your construct, or correct us.

If your work is cited behind one of these entries, you know better than we do whether we captured the meaning right. Confirm it, suggest an edit, or dispute it, and your name goes on the entry as an author who has checked it, linked to your ORCID.

Claim your construct