Stripping (linguistics)

Stripping or bare argument ellipsis is an ellipsis mechanism that elides everything from a clause except one constituent. It occurs exclusively in the non-initial conjuncts of coordinate structures. One prominent analysis of stripping sees it as a particular manifestation of the gapping mechanism, the difference between stripping and gapping lies merely with the number of remnants left behind by ellipsis: gapping leaves two (and sometimes more) constituents behind, whereas stripping leaves just one. Stripping occurs in many languages and is a frequent occurrence in colloquial conversation. As with many other ellipsis mechanisms, stripping challenges theories of syntax in part because the elided material often fails to qualify as a constituent in a straightforward manner. The following examples illustrate standard cases of stripping. The elided material is indicated using smaller font size and subscripts. Susan works at night, and Bill works at night too. Why did Sam call, and why did Bill call too? Should I do it, or should you do it? Chris said yesterday that he knew it, and he said today that he knew it too. She asked the kids to stay, and she asked the adults to stay too. Note the appearance of the additive particle too in these examples. Stripping is often marked by also, as well, or too. Notice also the appearance of the coordinator and or or. The coordinator's appearance marks coordination. Each time, the elided material appears in the non-initial conjunct of the coordinate structure. A trait that stripping shares with gapping is illustrated with the following examples: Should you call me, or should me call you. - Object pronoun of gapping functioning as subject You are hungry, and me am hungry too. - Object pronoun of stripping functioning as subject She did it first, and him did it second. - Object pronoun of gapping functioning as subject She did it, and him did it too. - Object pronoun of stripping functioning as subject Like gapping, stripping allows the object form of the pronoun (disjunctive pronoun) to function as the subject in the stripped clause.