The Syntax of Conjunct Extraposition: Conjunct Extraposition

Conjunct extraposition refers to a discontinuous coordinate structure in which the first and the last conjunct are separated by some intervening material. German conjunct extraposition can occur with singular as well as plural agreement. This paper argues for an ellipsis approach with an underlying bi-clausal structure and subsequent deletion of the redundant material at PF. Plural agreement is caused by multiple dominance: the probe is shared between the two conjuncts and subsequently needs to move out in order to be linearized. Evidence for this proposal comes from word order variations, reciprocal verbs, and sloppy identity effects, among others.