V-N compounds in French

Abstract In recent analyses of exocentric compounds, the null categorizer n and pro have been used. This paper contributes to the discussion on the desirability of the use of nulls in morphology in proposing an analysis of exocentric compounds in French without nulls. It is claimed that with a slight adaptation of Borer’s exoskeletal model, the number and nature of the functional projections dominating the roots suffice for an analysis of V-N compounds without nulls and can account for the differences between V-N compounds and nominalized infinitives and V → N conversions. It is argued that the features of the Gender Phrase account for the difference between default masculine and animate V-N compounds. The analysis is extended to P-N compounds.