What is a zero?

Definition
	Here are two senses for zero:
	A zero is a constituent proposed in an analysis to represent an element held to be present at an abstract level but not realized in the data. A zero is a unit proposed as a contrast to an element that might otherwise be present.

Examples (English)

A zero morph (Ø) proposed for the plural of sheep.
A zero conjunction proposed for he said Ø he was coming, in contrast with he said that he was coming.
A zero realization of a semantic argument proposed for the second clause in I eat breakfast before 7 A.M.; John eats Ø about 8 A. M.

Sources:

Crystal 1980 388

Fleming 1988 41

Generic
	A zero is a kind of
	What is a constituent?

Sources
	Crystal 1980 388
	Robins 1971 note, 212
	Fleming 1988 41

Context for this page:

Concept module: zero
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): Z
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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