Comparing null subjects and null objects
Abstract
Abstract This paper presents a corpus-based analysis of the antecedent preferences of anaphoric null objects in European Portuguese. It suggests that the sentential domain, the syntactic function, and the animacy of the antecedent determine the selection of the referent of null objects, similar to what has been observed for null subjects. The corpus study findings reveal that null objects differ from null subjects by predominantly selecting object referents in both inter- and intrasentential contexts rather than subject referents. Additionally, null objects exhibit a clear preference for inanimate referents.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Syntax
Semantics
Linguistic Variation
Linguistic Studies and Language Acquisition
Spanish Linguistics and Language Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Linguistik aktuell
- Pages
- 283–307
- Publication date
- 27 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter