Gapping

Gapping (from English gap "gap"; also: gapping ) is a term of linguistics , in particular the syntax , and the designated discharging ( ellipse ) of a actants or predicate under coordination conditions (see FIG. Parataxe ). The term was originally coined in 1970 by John Robert Ross as part of the generative transformation grammar , but is also used among functionalists.

Examples

In the following example, the subject is omitted:

Hans reads his book and (Hans) smokes a cigar.

In this example the predicate is omitted:

Hans reads his book, Petra (reads) her magazine.

See also

• Syllepse
• Zeugma (language)

literature

• John R. Ross: Gapping and the order of constituents. In: Manfred Bierwisch , Karl Erich Heidolph (eds.): Progress in linguistics. Mouton, Den Haag et al. 1970, pp. 249-259 ( Ianua linguarum 43, ISSN  0075-3114 ).