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Concept
Extraposition
Summary
Extraposition is a mechanism of syntax that alters word order in such a manner that a relatively "heavy" constituent appears to the right of its canonical position. Extraposing a constituent results in a discontinuity and in this regard, it is unlike shifting, which does not generate a discontinuity. The extraposed constituent is separated from its governor by one or more words that dominate its governor. Two types of extraposition are acknowledged in theoretical syntax: standard cases where extraposition is optional and it-extraposition where extraposition is obligatory. Extraposition is motivated in part by a desire to reduce center embedding by increasing right-branching and thus easing processing, center-embedded structures being more difficult to process. Extraposition occurs frequently in English and related languages.
Standard cases of extraposition are optional, although at times the extraposed version of the sentence is strongly preferred. The following pairs of sentences illustrate "normal" word order first followed by the same sentence with extraposition:
a. Someone whom we don't know left a message.
b. Someone left a message whom we don't know. - Extraposition of relative clause out of subject
a. Susan said something that nobody expected more than once.
b. Susan said something more than once that nobody expected. - Extraposition of relative clause out of object
a. Some guy with red hair was there.
b. Some guy was there with red hair. - Extraposition of prepositional phrase out of subject
a. How frustrated with their kids are they?
b. How frustrated are they with their kids? - Extraposition of prepositional phrase from predicative adjective phrase
a. ()What that was so entertaining actually happened?
b. What actually happened that was so entertaining? - Extraposition of content clause from subject wh-element
a. %What that upset everyone do you think they did?
b. What do you think they did that upset everyone? - Extraposition of content clause from object wh-element
These examples illustrate a couple of basic facts about extraposition.
Official source
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