.
.

Diagnosing Covert Pied-Piping
Michael Yoshitaka Erlewine & Hadas Kotek
Massachusetts Institute of Technology{mitcho,hkotek}@mit.edu

North East Linguistic Society 43
CUNY
October 2012..

The question

Pied-piping is visible in overt movement:(1) [PP In which. class] C did you get a good grade . ?
.
In-situ wh-phrases move covertly:(2) [Which student]...which...
C . got a good grade in which.
.
. class?
.
☞ Does covert movement trigger pied-piping?

2..

The question

Pied-piping is visible in overt movement:(1) [PP In which. class] C did you get a good grade . ?
.
In-situ wh-phrases move covertly:(2) [Which student]...which...
C . got a good grade in which.
.
. class?
.
☞ Does covert movement trigger pied-piping?

2..

The question

Pied-piping is visible in overt movement:(1) [PP In which. class] C did you get a good grade . ?
.
In-situ wh-phrases move covertly:(2) [Which student]...which...
C . got a good grade in which.
.
. class?
.
☞ Does covert movement trigger pied-piping?

2..

GoalsToday:
We present new data on the distribution of focus intervention
eﬀects in wh-questions. We show that, assuming that intervention
correlates with focus-alternatives computation (Beck, 2006), the data
motivates the existence of covert wh-pied-piping.
2. Having established the use of focus intervention eﬀects as adiagnostic for alternative computation and pied-piping, we
discover focus intervention eﬀects in Association with Focus
constructions.
1.

3
..

GoalsToday:
We present new data on the distribution of focus intervention
eﬀects in wh-questions. We show that, assuming that intervention
correlates with focus-alternatives computation (Beck, 2006), the data
motivates the existence of covert wh-pied-piping.
2. Having established the use of focus intervention eﬀects as adiagnostic for alternative computation and pied-piping, we
discover focus intervention eﬀects in Association with Focus
constructions.
1.

3
..

Overt pied-piping

In overt pied-piping, the interrogative complementizer can attract
diﬀerent sized constituents containing the wh-word:(3) Jim owns a. picture of. which.
. president.
a. [Which president] does Jim own a picture ofb. [Of which president] does Jim own a picturec. [A picture of which president] does Jim own

?
?
?

4
..

Overt pied-piping

In overt pied-piping, the interrogative complementizer can attract
diﬀerent sized constituents containing the wh-word:(3) Jim owns a. picture of. which.
. president.
a. [Which president] does Jim own a picture ofb. [Of which president] does Jim own a picturec. [A picture of which president] does Jim own

?
?
?

4
..

Overt pied-piping

In overt pied-piping, the interrogative complementizer can attract
diﬀerent sized constituents containing the wh-word:(3) Jim owns a. picture of. which.
. president.
a. [Which president] does Jim own a picture ofb. [Of which president] does Jim own a picturec. [A picture of which president] does Jim own

?
?
?

4
..

Overt pied-piping

In overt pied-piping, the interrogative complementizer can attract
diﬀerent sized constituents containing the wh-word:(3) Jim owns a. picture of. which.
. president.
a. [Which president] does Jim own a picture ofb. [Of which president] does Jim own a picturec. [A picture of which president] does Jim own

?
?
?

4
..

Intervention in overt pied-piping

Sauerland and Heck (2003); Cable (2007) show that intervention eﬀects
occur inside pied-piped constituents:(4) Cable (2007):a.
[A picture of which president]b.

* [No picture of which president]

hangs in Jim’s oﬀice?
hangs in Jim’s oﬀice?

If an intervener is placed between the wh-word and the edge of its
pied-piping constituent, it results in ungrammaticality.
(5) Intervention in pied-piped constituents: (S&H; C)[pied-piping ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] C ... . .
.

5..

Intervention in overt pied-piping

Sauerland and Heck (2003); Cable (2007) show that intervention eﬀects
occur inside pied-piped constituents:(4) Cable (2007):a.
[A picture of which president]b.

* [No picture of which president]

hangs in Jim’s oﬀice?
hangs in Jim’s oﬀice?

If an intervener is placed between the wh-word and the edge of its
pied-piping constituent, it results in ungrammaticality.
(5) Intervention in pied-piped constituents: (S&H; C)[pied-piping ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] C ... . .
.

5..

Intervention in overt pied-piping☞ This eﬀect is due to the structural configuration in (5).
(5) Intervention in pied-piped constituents: (S&H; C)[pied-piping ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] C ... . .
.

No intervention when intervener is inside pied-piping, but below wh:(6) [Which picture containing no presidents]desk?

hangs behind Jim’s

Intervention can be avoided by choice of pied-piping size:(7)a.

* [No picture of which president] does Jim own

?

b.

✓

]?

[Which president] does Jim own [no picture of

Data from Cable (2007)
6..

Intervention in overt pied-piping☞ This eﬀect is due to the structural configuration in (5).
(5) Intervention in pied-piped constituents: (S&H; C)[pied-piping ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] C ... . .
.

No intervention when intervener is inside pied-piping, but below wh:(6) [Which picture containing no presidents]desk?

hangs behind Jim’s

Intervention can be avoided by choice of pied-piping size:(7)a.

* [No picture of which president] does Jim own

?

b.

✓

]?

[Which president] does Jim own [no picture of

Data from Cable (2007)
6..

Intervention in overt pied-piping☞ This eﬀect is due to the structural configuration in (5).
(5) Intervention in pied-piped constituents: (S&H; C)[pied-piping ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] C ... . .
.

No intervention when intervener is inside pied-piping, but below wh:(6) [Which picture containing no presidents]desk?

hangs behind Jim’s

Intervention can be avoided by choice of pied-piping size:(7)a.

* [No picture of which president] does Jim own

?

b.

✓

]?

[Which president] does Jim own [no picture of

Data from Cable (2007)
6..

Covert movement in wh-questions

Generally, all wh-words move to the complementizer (Karttunen, 1977;
Huang, 1982; Pesetsky, 1987, 2000; Richards, 1997; Beck, 2006; Cable, 2007, a.o.):(8) WhoC Who?
. ...which...
.
. owns a. picture of. which. president.
.
Subsequent movements tuck-in. Only the highest wh-phrase ispronounced at the head of its chain; other wh-phrases are pronounced intheir base positions. These in-situ wh-phrases move “covertly.”

7..

Covert movement in wh-questions

Generally, all wh-words move to the complementizer (Karttunen, 1977;
Huang, 1982; Pesetsky, 1987, 2000; Richards, 1997; Beck, 2006; Cable, 2007, a.o.):(8) WhoC. ...which...
.

?
. owns a. picture of. which. president.

.
Subsequent movements tuck-in. Only the highest wh-phrase ispronounced at the head of its chain; other wh-phrases are pronounced intheir base positions. These in-situ wh-phrases move “covertly.”

7..

Covert movement in wh-questions

Generally, all wh-words move to the complementizer (Karttunen, 1977;
Huang, 1982; Pesetsky, 1987, 2000; Richards, 1997; Beck, 2006; Cable, 2007, a.o.):(8) WhoC. ...which...
.

?
. owns a. picture of. which. president.

.
Subsequent movements tuck-in. Only the highest wh-phrase ispronounced at the head of its chain; other wh-phrases are pronounced intheir base positions. These in-situ wh-phrases move “covertly.”

7..

Covert movement in wh-questions

Generally, all wh-words move to the complementizer (Karttunen, 1977;
Huang, 1982; Pesetsky, 1987, 2000; Richards, 1997; Beck, 2006; Cable, 2007, a.o.):(8) WhoC. ...which...
.

?
. owns a. picture of. which. president.

.
Subsequent movements tuck-in. Only the highest wh-phrase ispronounced at the head of its chain; other wh-phrases are pronounced intheir base positions. These in-situ wh-phrases move “covertly.”

7..

Covert pied-piping

8..

Covert pied-piping☞ Does covert movement trigger pied-piping?
(8) Who owns a. picture of. which?.
. president.
a. [Who]
C . owns a picture of . ? .
. [which president].
b. [Who]
C . owns a picture . ? .
. [of which president].
c. [Who]president] C . owns . ? .
. [a picture of which.
...and if so, how much?

9..

Covert pied-piping☞ Does covert movement trigger pied-piping?
(8) Who owns a. picture of. which?.
. president.
a. [Who]
C . owns a picture of . ? .
. [which president].
b. [Who]
C . owns a picture . ? .
. [of which president].
c. [Who]president] C . owns . ? .
. [a picture of which.
...and if so, how much?

9..

Covert pied-piping☞ Does covert movement trigger pied-piping?
(8) Who owns a. picture of. which?.
. president.
a. [Who]
C . owns a picture of . ? .
. [which president].
b. [Who]
C . owns a picture . ? .
. [of which president].
c. [Who]president] C . owns . ? .
. [a picture of which.
...and if so, how much?

9..

Covert pied-piping☞ Does covert movement trigger pied-piping?
(8) Who owns a. picture of. which?.
. president.
a. [Who]
C . owns a picture of . ? .
. [which president].
b. [Who]
C . owns a picture . ? .
. [of which president].
c. [Who]president] C . owns . ? .
. [a picture of which.
...and if so, how much?

9..

Covert pied-piping☞ Does covert movement trigger pied-piping?
(8) Who owns a. picture of. which?.
. president.
a. [Who]
C . owns a picture of . ? .
. [which president].
b. [Who]
C . owns a picture . ? .
. [of which president].
c. [Who]president] C . owns . ? .
. [a picture of which.
...and if so, how much?

9..

Diagnosing covert pied-piping

Recall that overt pied-piping leads to intervention eﬀects:(5) Intervention in pied-piped constituents: (S&H; C)[pied-piping ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] C ... . .
.

☞ Assuming intervention as in (5) is evaluated at LF (Beck, 2006),
intervention eﬀects can diagnose the size of covert pied-piping.
(9) Intervention in covert pied-piping:.... C ... [covert pied-piping ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] .
.

10
..

Diagnosing covert pied-piping

Recall that overt pied-piping leads to intervention eﬀects:(5) Intervention in pied-piped constituents: (S&H; C)[pied-piping ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] C ... . .
.

☞ Assuming intervention as in (5) is evaluated at LF (Beck, 2006),
intervention eﬀects can diagnose the size of covert pied-piping.
(9) Intervention in covert pied-piping:.... C ... [covert pied-piping ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] .
.

10
..

Diagnosing covert pied-piping

Recall that overt pied-piping leads to intervention eﬀects:(5) Intervention in pied-piped constituents: (S&H; C)[pied-piping ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] C ... . .
.

☞ Assuming intervention as in (5) is evaluated at LF (Beck, 2006),
intervention eﬀects can diagnose the size of covert pied-piping.
(9) Intervention in covert pied-piping:.... C ... [covert pied-piping ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] .
.

10
..

Diagnosing covert pied-piping

Diﬀerent amounts of covert pied-piping predict diﬀerent ...INTERVENABLE...
regions:(8) Who owns a. picture of. which?.
. president.
a. Who owns a picture of [covert pied-piping which president]?
b. Who owns a picture [covert pied-piping of which president]?
c. Who owns [covert pied-piping a picture of which president]?

11..

Diagnosing covert pied-piping

Diﬀerent amounts of covert pied-piping predict diﬀerent ...INTERVENABLE...
regions:(8) Who owns a. picture of. which?.
. president.
a. Who owns a picture of [covert pied-piping which president]?
b. Who owns a picture [covert pied-piping of which president]?
c. Who owns [covert pied-piping a picture of which president]?

11..

Diagnosing covert pied-piping

Diﬀerent amounts of covert pied-piping predict diﬀerent ...INTERVENABLE...
regions:(8) Who owns a. picture of. which?.
. president.
a. Who owns a picture of [covert pied-piping which president]?
b. Who owns a picture [covert pied-piping of which president]?
c. Who owns [covert pied-piping a picture of which president]?

11..

Diagnosing covert pied-piping

Diﬀerent amounts of covert pied-piping predict diﬀerent ...INTERVENABLE...
regions:(8) Who owns a. picture of. which?.
. president.
a. Who owns a picture of [covert pied-piping which president]?
b. Who owns a picture [covert pied-piping of which president]?
c. Who owns [covert pied-piping a picture of which president]?

11..

Diagnosing covert pied-piping(10) Context: Over the break, every student read a book from a local
library and submitted a book report. Each book report gave thetitle of the book and which library it was borrowed from.
(11)✓

I know [which student read a book from which library].

(12) Context: Over the break, the students were assigned to go readone book each from every library in the area and submit a bookreport. No student completed the entire assignment; every
student went to all but one of the libraries.
(13)* I know [which student read no book from which library].

A ratings study was conducted on Mechanical Turk to confirm thiscontrast. A summary is in the appendix.
12..

Diagnosing covert pied-piping(10) Context: Over the break, every student read a book from a local
library and submitted a book report. Each book report gave thetitle of the book and which library it was borrowed from.
(11)✓

I know [which student read a book from which library].

(12) Context: Over the break, the students were assigned to go readone book each from every library in the area and submit a bookreport. No student completed the entire assignment; every
student went to all but one of the libraries.
(13)* I know [which student read no book from which library].

A ratings study was conducted on Mechanical Turk to confirm thiscontrast. A summary is in the appendix.
12..

Diagnosing covert pied-piping(10) Context: Over the break, every student read a book from a local
library and submitted a book report. Each book report gave thetitle of the book and which library it was borrowed from.
(11)✓

I know [which student read a book from which library].

(12) Context: Over the break, the students were assigned to go readone book each from every library in the area and submit a bookreport. No student completed the entire assignment; every
student went to all but one of the libraries.
(13)* I know [which student read no book from which library].

A ratings study was conducted on Mechanical Turk to confirm thiscontrast. A summary is in the appendix.
12..

Diagnosing covert pied-piping(10) Context: Over the break, every student read a book from a local
library and submitted a book report. Each book report gave thetitle of the book and which library it was borrowed from.
(11)✓

I know [which student read a book from which library].

(12) Context: Over the break, the students were assigned to go readone book each from every library in the area and submit a bookreport. No student completed the entire assignment; every
student went to all but one of the libraries.
(13)* I know [which student read no book from which library].

A ratings study was conducted on Mechanical Turk to confirm thiscontrast. A summary is in the appendix.
12..

The diagnosis

(11)

✓

(13)

* I know [which student read no book from which library].

I know [which student read a book from which library].

Note that higher negation does not cause such a contrast:(20)✓

I know [which student didn’t read a book from which library].

Thus (13) is not a general negative island eﬀect.
The eﬀect only occurs if the intervener c-commands the wh-word.
(21)✓

I know [which s. read which book containing no princesses].

☞ The eﬀect is limited to a particular region above and near thein-situ wh.
13..

The diagnosis

(11)

✓

(13)

* I know [which student read no book from which library].

I know [which student read a book from which library].

Note that higher negation does not cause such a contrast:(20)✓

I know [which student didn’t read a book from which library].

Thus (13) is not a general negative island eﬀect.
The eﬀect only occurs if the intervener c-commands the wh-word.
(21)✓

I know [which s. read which book containing no princesses].

☞ The eﬀect is limited to a particular region above and near thein-situ wh.
13..

The diagnosis

(11)

✓

(13)

* I know [which student read no book from which library].

I know [which student read a book from which library].

Note that higher negation does not cause such a contrast:(20)✓

I know [which student didn’t read a book from which library].

Thus (13) is not a general negative island eﬀect.
The eﬀect only occurs if the intervener c-commands the wh-word.
(21)✓

I know [which s. read which book containing no princesses].

☞ The eﬀect is limited to a particular region above and near thein-situ wh.
13..

The diagnosis

(11)

✓

(13)

* I know [which student read no book from which library].

I know [which student read a book from which library].

Note that higher negation does not cause such a contrast:(20)✓

I know [which student didn’t read a book from which library].

Thus (13) is not a general negative island eﬀect.
The eﬀect only occurs if the intervener c-commands the wh-word.
(21)✓

I know [which s. read which book containing no princesses].

☞ The eﬀect is limited to a particular region above and near thein-situ wh.
13..

The diagnosis
(11)

✓

(13)

* I know [which student read no book from which library].

I know [which student read a book from which library].

This contrast teaches us that no in (13) is in an ...INTERVENABLE... region.
Moreover, smaller pied-piping options were not available:(8) Which student read no. book from. which. library. ?.
a. Which student read no book from [pied-piping which library]?
⇒ predicts no intervention!

Ab. Which student read no book [pied-piping from which library]?
⇒ predicts no intervention!

Ac. Which student read [pied-piping no book from which library]?
⇒ predicts intervention!
14..

The diagnosis
(11)

✓

(13)

* I know [which student read no book from which library].

I know [which student read a book from which library].

This contrast teaches us that no in (13) is in an ...INTERVENABLE... region.
Moreover, smaller pied-piping options were not available:(8) Which student read no. book from. which. library. ?.
a. Which student read no book from [pied-piping which library]?
⇒ predicts no intervention!

Ab. Which student read no book [pied-piping from which library]?
⇒ predicts no intervention!

Ac. Which student read [pied-piping no book from which library]?
⇒ predicts intervention!
14..

The diagnosis
(11)

✓

(13)

* I know [which student read no book from which library].

I know [which student read a book from which library].

This contrast teaches us that no in (13) is in an ...INTERVENABLE... region.
Moreover, smaller pied-piping options were not available:(8) Which student read no. book from. which. library. ?.
a. Which student read no book from [pied-piping which library]?
⇒ predicts no intervention!

Ab. Which student read no book [pied-piping from which library]?
⇒ predicts no intervention!

Ac. Which student read [pied-piping no book from which library]?
⇒ predicts intervention!
14..

The diagnosis
(11)

✓

(13)

* I know [which student read no book from which library].

I know [which student read a book from which library].

This contrast teaches us that no in (13) is in an ...INTERVENABLE... region.
Moreover, smaller pied-piping options were not available:(8) Which student read no. book from. which. library. ?.
a. Which student read no book from [pied-piping which library]?
⇒ predicts no intervention!

Ab. Which student read no book [pied-piping from which library]?
⇒ predicts no intervention!

Ac. Which student read [pied-piping no book from which library]?
⇒ predicts intervention!
14..

The diagnosis
(11)

✓

(13)

* I know [which student read no book from which library].

I know [which student read a book from which library].

This contrast teaches us that no in (13) is in an ...INTERVENABLE... region.
Moreover, smaller pied-piping options were not available:(8) Which student read no. book from. which. library. ?.
a. Which student read no book from [pied-piping which library]?
⇒ predicts no intervention!

Ab. Which student read no book [pied-piping from which library]?
⇒ predicts no intervention!

Ac. Which student read [pied-piping no book from which library]?
⇒ predicts intervention!
14..

The diagnosis

Covert movement triggers pied-piping
and chooses the largest pied-piping
constituent possible.

15..

Pied-piping size and the interfaces
Recall that the size of overt pied-piping is variable, with a preference forsmaller pied-piping:(3) Jim owns a. picture of. which.
. president
.
a.
b.
c.

✓

[Which president] does Jim own a picture of[Of which president] does Jim own a picture?
[A picture of which president] does Jim own

✓

?
?
?

...but we have shown that covert pied-piping chooses the largest among
the options for overt pied-piping.
☞ The preference for smaller pied-piping in overt movement is an
artifact of PF constraints on wh-movement, not a generalpreference of the pied-piping mechanism itself.

16..

Pied-piping size and the interfaces
Recall that the size of overt pied-piping is variable, with a preference forsmaller pied-piping:(3) Jim owns a. picture of. which.
. president
.
a.
b.
c.

✓

[Which president] does Jim own a picture of[Of which president] does Jim own a picture?
[A picture of which president] does Jim own

✓

?
?
?

...but we have shown that covert pied-piping chooses the largest among
the options for overt pied-piping.
☞ The preference for smaller pied-piping in overt movement is an
artifact of PF constraints on wh-movement, not a generalpreference of the pied-piping mechanism itself.

16..

Pied-piping size and the interfaces
Recall that the size of overt pied-piping is variable, with a preference forsmaller pied-piping:(3) Jim owns a. picture of. which.
. president
.
a.
b.
c.

✓

[Which president] does Jim own a picture of[Of which president] does Jim own a picture?
[A picture of which president] does Jim own

✓

?
?
?

...but we have shown that covert pied-piping chooses the largest among
the options for overt pied-piping.
☞ The preference for smaller pied-piping in overt movement is an
artifact of PF constraints on wh-movement, not a generalpreference of the pied-piping mechanism itself.

16..

Pied-piping size and the interfaces☞ Wh-phrases prefer to be near the left edge when pied-piped (Horvath,
2007; Heck, 2008, 2009; Cable, ms, a.o.).
⇒ A PF constraint!
Data from Cable (ms):
(22)

a.
b.

✓

(23)

a.
b.

✓

[[[Whose brother]’s friend]’s father] did you see?
* [The father of whose brother’s friend] did you see?
[ [ How big ] a
car ] did Bill buy* [ A [ how big ] car ] did Bill buy?

?
(cf Heck, 2008, 2009)17..

Pied-piping size and the interfaces☞ Wh-phrases prefer to be near the left edge when pied-piped (Horvath,
2007; Heck, 2008, 2009; Cable, ms, a.o.).
⇒ A PF constraint!
Data from Cable (ms):
(22)

a.
b.

✓

(23)

a.
b.

✓

[[[Whose brother]’s friend]’s father] did you see?
* [The father of whose brother’s friend] did you see?
[ [ How big ] a
car ] did Bill buy* [ A [ how big ] car ] did Bill buy?

?
(cf Heck, 2008, 2009)17..

Pied-piping size and the interfaces

Overt movement feeds PF and LF, while covert movement only feeds LF.
☞ The preference for pied-piping the largest possible constituent is thetrue preference of Core Syntax and LF.
☞ However, in cases where the movement feeds PF as well, the choiceof pied-piping can be overridden by PF constraints.

18..

Pied-piping size and the interfaces

Overt movement feeds PF and LF, while covert movement only feeds LF.
☞ The preference for pied-piping the largest possible constituent is thetrue preference of Core Syntax and LF.
☞ However, in cases where the movement feeds PF as well, the choiceof pied-piping can be overridden by PF constraints.

18..

Pied-piping size and the interfaces

Overt movement feeds PF and LF, while covert movement only feeds LF.
☞ The preference for pied-piping the largest possible constituent is thetrue preference of Core Syntax and LF.
☞ However, in cases where the movement feeds PF as well, the choiceof pied-piping can be overridden by PF constraints.

18..

Theory of intervention andpied-piping

19..

Focus intervention
A question can be computed through movement and/or Rooth-Hamblin
alternative computation (Hamblin, 1973; Karttunen, 1977; Rooth, 1985):(24)

a. Interpretation through movement:
LF: wh···. C. .
b. Interpretation through alternative computation:.i .
LF: C.iwh

Beck (2006): Computation of Rooth-Hamblin alternatives can beinterrupted by focus interveners Op, such as only, even, focus-sensitive
negation, etc.
(25) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alternatives by C:.
. i ..
Op* LF: C.i
wh
Cable (2007): this mechanism can explain intervention insidewh-pied-piping constituents...

20..

Focus intervention
A question can be computed through movement and/or Rooth-Hamblin
alternative computation (Hamblin, 1973; Karttunen, 1977; Rooth, 1985):(24)

a. Interpretation through movement:
LF: wh···. C. .
b. Interpretation through alternative computation:.i .
LF: C.iwh

Beck (2006): Computation of Rooth-Hamblin alternatives can beinterrupted by focus interveners Op, such as only, even, focus-sensitive
negation, etc.
(25) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alternatives by C:.
. i ..
Op* LF: C.i
wh
Cable (2007): this mechanism can explain intervention insidewh-pied-piping constituents...

20..

Focus intervention
A question can be computed through movement and/or Rooth-Hamblin
alternative computation (Hamblin, 1973; Karttunen, 1977; Rooth, 1985):(24)

a. Interpretation through movement:
LF: wh···. C. .
b. Interpretation through alternative computation:.i .
LF: C.iwh

Beck (2006): Computation of Rooth-Hamblin alternatives can beinterrupted by focus interveners Op, such as only, even, focus-sensitive
negation, etc.
(25) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alternatives by C:.
. i ..
Op* LF: C.i
wh
Cable (2007): this mechanism can explain intervention insidewh-pied-piping constituents...

20..

Focus intervention
A question can be computed through movement and/or Rooth-Hamblin
alternative computation (Hamblin, 1973; Karttunen, 1977; Rooth, 1985):(24)

a. Interpretation through movement:
LF: wh···. C. .
b. Interpretation through alternative computation:.i .
LF: C.iwh

Beck (2006): Computation of Rooth-Hamblin alternatives can beinterrupted by focus interveners Op, such as only, even, focus-sensitive
negation, etc.
(25) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alternatives by C:.
. i ...
Op* LF: C.i
whA

Cable (2007): this mechanism can explain intervention insidewh-pied-piping constituents...

20..

Focus intervention
A question can be computed through movement and/or Rooth-Hamblin
alternative computation (Hamblin, 1973; Karttunen, 1977; Rooth, 1985):(24)

a. Interpretation through movement:
LF: wh···. C. .
b. Interpretation through alternative computation:.i .
LF: C.iwh

Beck (2006): Computation of Rooth-Hamblin alternatives can beinterrupted by focus interveners Op, such as only, even, focus-sensitive
negation, etc.
(25) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alternatives by C:.
. i ...
Op* LF: C.i
whA

Cable (2007): this mechanism can explain intervention insidewh-pied-piping constituents...

20..

Interpreting pied-piping
Cable (2007): pied-piping is QP-movement• A Q-particle adjoins to a position above the wh-phrase. The

complementizer attracts the QP.
(26) Jim owns [QP Q a picture [QP Q of [QP Q which president ]a. [QP Q Which president] does Jim own a picture ofb. [QP Q Of which president] does Jim own a picturec. [QP Q A picture of which president] does Jim own?
?
?

The wh-word inside the QP is interpreted through focus alternatives.
(27)[QP Q. A picture of.which. president] λx. does Jim own x.?
. Rooth-Hamblin alternatives
movement21..

Interpreting pied-piping
Cable (2007): pied-piping is QP-movement• A Q-particle adjoins to a position above the wh-phrase. The

complementizer attracts the QP.
(26) Jim owns [QP Q a picture [QP Q of [QP Q which president ]a. [QP Q Which president] does Jim own a picture ofb. [QP Q Of which president] does Jim own a picturec. [QP Q A picture of which president] does Jim own?
?
?

The wh-word inside the QP is interpreted through focus alternatives.
(27)[QP Q. A picture of.which. president] λx. does Jim own x.?
. Rooth-Hamblin alternatives
movement21..

Interpreting pied-piping
Cable (2007): pied-piping is QP-movement• A Q-particle adjoins to a position above the wh-phrase. The

complementizer attracts the QP.
(26) Jim owns [QP Q a picture [QP Q of [QP Q which president ]a. [QP Q Which president] does Jim own a picture ofb. [QP Q Of which president] does Jim own a picturec. [QP Q A picture of which president] does Jim own?
?
?

The wh-word inside the QP is interpreted through focus alternatives.
(27)[QP Q. A picture of.which. president] λx. does Jim own x.?
. Rooth-Hamblin alternatives
movement21..

Interpreting pied-piping
Cable (2007): pied-piping is QP-movement• A Q-particle adjoins to a position above the wh-phrase. The

complementizer attracts the QP.
(26) Jim owns [QP Q a picture [QP Q of [QP Q which president ]a. [QP Q Which president] does Jim own a picture ofb. [QP Q Of which president] does Jim own a picturec. [QP Q A picture of which president] does Jim own?
?
?

The wh-word inside the QP is interpreted through focus alternatives.
(27)[QP Q. A picture of.which. president] λx. does Jim own x.?

. Rooth-Hamblin alternatives

movement21..

Interpreting pied-piping
Cable (2007): pied-piping is QP-movement• A Q-particle adjoins to a position above the wh-phrase. The

complementizer attracts the QP.
(26) Jim owns [QP Q a picture [QP Q of [QP Q which president ]a. [QP Q Which president] does Jim own a picture ofb. [QP Q Of which president] does Jim own a picturec. [QP Q A picture of which president] does Jim own?
?
?

The wh-word inside the QP is interpreted through focus alternatives.
(27)[QP Q. A picture of.which. president] λx. does Jim own x.?

. Rooth-Hamblin alternatives

movement21..

Interpreting pied-piping
Cable (2007): pied-piping is QP-movement• A Q-particle adjoins to a position above the wh-phrase. The

complementizer attracts the QP.
(26) Jim owns [QP Q a picture [QP Q of [QP Q which president ]a. [QP Q Which president] does Jim own a picture ofb. [QP Q Of which president] does Jim own a picturec. [QP Q A picture of which president] does Jim own?
?
?

The wh-word inside the QP is interpreted through focus alternatives.
(27)[QP Q. A picture of.which. president] λx. does Jim own x.?

. Rooth-Hamblin alternatives

movement21..

Interpreting pied-piping
Cable (2007): pied-piping is QP-movement• A Q-particle adjoins to a position above the wh-phrase. The

complementizer attracts the QP.
(26) Jim owns [QP Q a picture [QP Q of [QP Q which president ]a. [QP Q Which president] does Jim own a picture ofb. [QP Q Of which president] does Jim own a picturec. [QP Q A picture of which president] does Jim own?
?
?

The wh-word inside the QP is interpreted through focus alternatives.
(27)[QP Q. A picture of.which. president] λx. does Jim own x.?

. Rooth-Hamblin alternatives

movement21..

Intervention in overt pied-piping(25) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alt.’s by C: (Beck, 2006)
.
.i .
Op
* LF: C.iwh(28) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alt.’s by Q: (Cable, 2007)✓.
. i ... ] ..
Op
LF: [QP Q.i
wh(5) Intervention in pied-piped constituents: (Cable, 2007)[QP Q ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] C ... . .
.
(4b) Intervention in overt pied-piping: (Cable, 2007, cf S&H, 2003)* [QP Q No picture of which president]
hangs in Jim’s oﬀice?

22..

Intervention in overt pied-piping(25) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alt.’s by C: (Beck, 2006)
.
.i .
Op
* LF: C.iwh(28) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alt.’s by Q: (Cable, 2007)✓.
. i ... ] ..
Op
LF: [QP Q.i
wh(5) Intervention in pied-piped constituents: (Cable, 2007)[QP Q ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] C ... . .
.
(4b) Intervention in overt pied-piping: (Cable, 2007, cf S&H, 2003)* [QP Q No picture of which president]
hangs in Jim’s oﬀice?

22..

Intervention in overt pied-piping(25) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alt.’s by C: (Beck, 2006)
.
.i .
Op
* LF: C.iwh(28) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alt.’s by Q: (Cable, 2007).
. i ... ] ..
Op
* LF: [QP Q.i
wh(5) Intervention in pied-piped constituents: (Cable, 2007)[QP Q ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] C ... . .
.
(4b) Intervention in overt pied-piping: (Cable, 2007, cf S&H, 2003)* [QP Q No picture of which president]
hangs in Jim’s oﬀice?

22..

Intervention in overt pied-piping(25) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alt.’s by C: (Beck, 2006)
.
.i .
Op
* LF: C.iwh(28) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alt.’s by Q: (Cable, 2007).
. i ... ] ..
Op
* LF: [QP Q.i
wh(5) Intervention in pied-piped constituents: (Cable, 2007)[QP Q ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] C ... . .
.
(4b) Intervention in overt pied-piping: (Cable, 2007, cf S&H, 2003)* [QP Q No picture of which president]
hangs in Jim’s oﬀice?

22..

Intervention in overt pied-piping(25) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alt.’s by C: (Beck, 2006)
.
.i .
Op
* LF: C.iwh(28) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alt.’s by Q: (Cable, 2007).
. i ... ] ..
Op
* LF: [QP Q.i
wh(5) Intervention in pied-piped constituents: (Cable, 2007)[QP Q ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] C ... . .
.
(4b) Intervention in overt pied-piping: (Cable, 2007, cf S&H, 2003)* [QP Q No picture of which president]
hangs in Jim’s oﬀice?

22..

Intervention in covert pied-piping☞ Cable’s (2007) application of Beck’s (2006) theory to intervention
within QPs predicts that, if covert pied-piping exists, it should beinterveneable:(9) Intervention in covert pied-piping:.... C ... [QP Q ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] .
.

(13)* I know [which student read [QP Q no book from which library]].

(20)

✓

I know [which student didn’t read [QP Q a book from which l.]].

This discussion theoretically grounds our use of focus intervention as adiagnostic for covert pied-piping.
23..

Intervention in covert pied-piping☞ Cable’s (2007) application of Beck’s (2006) theory to intervention
within QPs predicts that, if covert pied-piping exists, it should beinterveneable:(9) Intervention in covert pied-piping:.... C ... [QP Q ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] .
.

(13)* I know [which student read [QP Q no book from which library]].

(20)

✓

I know [which student didn’t read [QP Q a book from which l.]].

This discussion theoretically grounds our use of focus intervention as adiagnostic for covert pied-piping.
23..

Intervention in covert pied-piping☞ Cable’s (2007) application of Beck’s (2006) theory to intervention
within QPs predicts that, if covert pied-piping exists, it should beinterveneable:(9) Intervention in covert pied-piping:.... C ... [QP Q ...INTERVENABLE... wh ...] .
.

(13)* I know [which student read [QP Q no book from which library]].

(20)

✓

I know [which student didn’t read [QP Q a book from which l.]].

This discussion theoretically grounds our use of focus intervention as adiagnostic for covert pied-piping.
23..

Pied-piping in focus constructions

24..

Intervention outside of wh-questions☞ The Beck (2006) theory of focus intervention predicts intervention
not just between wh and C/Q, but anywhere where Rooth-Hamblin
alternatives are computed.
(29) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alternatives:
. i
.
.i .
Op
* LF: C/Q
wh(30) Intervener blocks interpretation of focus alternatives:
✓
. ..
Op. j
XF,i
LF: Op. i☞ Beck (2006) discusses this prediction but fails to find concrete
evidence for it. In this section, we will provide the missing data, by
examining pied-piping in focus constructions.

25..

Intervention outside of wh-questions☞ The Beck (2006) theory of focus intervention predicts intervention
not just between wh and C/Q, but anywhere where Rooth-Hamblin
alternatives are computed.
(29) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alternatives:
. i
.
.i .
Op
* LF: C/Q
wh(30) Intervener blocks interpretation of focus alternatives:
✓
. ..
Op. j
XF,i
LF: Op. i☞ Beck (2006) discusses this prediction but fails to find concrete
evidence for it. In this section, we will provide the missing data, by
examining pied-piping in focus constructions.

25..

Intervention outside of wh-questions☞ The Beck (2006) theory of focus intervention predicts intervention
not just between wh and C/Q, but anywhere where Rooth-Hamblin
alternatives are computed.
(29) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alternatives:
. i
.
.i .
Op
* LF: C/Q
wh(30) Intervener blocks interpretation of focus alternatives:
. ..
Op. j
XF,i
* LF: Op. i☞ Beck (2006) discusses this prediction but fails to find concrete
evidence for it. In this section, we will provide the missing data, by
examining pied-piping in focus constructions.

25..

Intervention outside of wh-questions☞ The Beck (2006) theory of focus intervention predicts intervention
not just between wh and C/Q, but anywhere where Rooth-Hamblin
alternatives are computed.
(29) Intervener blocks interpretation of wh-alternatives:
. i
.
.i .
Op
* LF: C/Q
wh(30) Intervener blocks interpretation of focus alternatives:
. ..
Op. j
XF,i
* LF: Op. i☞ Beck (2006) discusses this prediction but fails to find concrete
evidence for it. In this section, we will provide the missing data, by
examining pied-piping in focus constructions.

25..

Pied-piping in overt focus movement

The pivot in English it-clefts can be considered to be a form of pied-piping
movement (Krifka, 2006):(31) Pied-piping in it-clefts:
John read a. book from
. THIS. F library. ..
a. It’s [THISF library] that John read a book fromb. It’s [from THISF library] that John read a bookc. It’s [a book from THISF library] that John read

.
.
.

26
..

Pied-piping in overt focus movement

The pivot in English it-clefts can be considered to be a form of pied-piping
movement (Krifka, 2006):(31) Pied-piping in it-clefts:
John read a. book from
. THIS. F library. ..
a. It’s [THISF library] that John read a book fromb. It’s [from THISF library] that John read a bookc. It’s [a book from THISF library] that John read

.
.
.

26
..

Pied-piping in overt focus movement

The pivot in English it-clefts can be considered to be a form of pied-piping
movement (Krifka, 2006):(31) Pied-piping in it-clefts:
John read a. book from
. THIS. F library. ..
a. It’s [THISF library] that John read a book fromb. It’s [from THISF library] that John read a bookc. It’s [a book from THISF library] that John read

.
.
.

26
..

Pied-piping in overt focus movement

The pivot in English it-clefts can be considered to be a form of pied-piping
movement (Krifka, 2006):(31) Pied-piping in it-clefts:
John read a. book from
. THIS. F library. ..
a. It’s [THISF library] that John read a book fromb. It’s [from THISF library] that John read a bookc. It’s [a book from THISF library] that John read

.
.
.

26
..

Intervention in it-clefts
The it-cleft associates with focus inside the pivot (Jackendoﬀ, 1972; Krifka,
2006). Therefore it-clefts are interpreted using both movement andalternative computation, much like wh-pied-piping:(32) It’s [pied-piping a. book .from THIS
. F library] λx. John read x.. .
Rooth-Hamblin alternatives

movement

Viewing cleft pivots in this light, Beck (2006) expects focus intervention
inside the pivot. We argue that such intervention does occur:(33) Intervention in it-cleft pivots:a.

* It’s [ no book from THISF library] that John’s read

b.
c.

✓
✓

.

It’s [ from THISF library] that John’s read no book.
It’s [THISF library] that John’s read no book from
.

27
..

Intervention in it-clefts
The it-cleft associates with focus inside the pivot (Jackendoﬀ, 1972; Krifka,
2006). Therefore it-clefts are interpreted using both movement andalternative computation, much like wh-pied-piping:(32) It’s [pied-piping a. book .from THIS
. F library] λx. John read x.. .
Rooth-Hamblin alternatives

movement

Viewing cleft pivots in this light, Beck (2006) expects focus intervention
inside the pivot. We argue that such intervention does occur:(33) Intervention in it-cleft pivots:a.

* It’s [ no book from THISF library] that John’s read

b.
c.

✓
✓

.

It’s [ from THISF library] that John’s read no book.
It’s [THISF library] that John’s read no book from
.

27
..

Intervention in it-clefts
The it-cleft associates with focus inside the pivot (Jackendoﬀ, 1972; Krifka,
2006). Therefore it-clefts are interpreted using both movement andalternative computation, much like wh-pied-piping:(32) It’s [pied-piping a. book .from THIS
. F library] λx. John read x.. .
Rooth-Hamblin alternatives

movement

Viewing cleft pivots in this light, Beck (2006) expects focus intervention
inside the pivot. We argue that such intervention does occur:(33) Intervention in it-cleft pivots:a.

* It’s [ no book from THISF library] that John’s read

b.
c.

✓
✓

.

It’s [ from THISF library] that John’s read no book.
It’s [THISF library] that John’s read no book from
.

27
..

Intervention in it-clefts
The it-cleft associates with focus inside the pivot (Jackendoﬀ, 1972; Krifka,
2006). Therefore it-clefts are interpreted using both movement andalternative computation, much like wh-pied-piping:(32) It’s [pied-piping a. book .from THIS
. F library] λx. John read x.. .
Rooth-Hamblin alternatives

movement

Viewing cleft pivots in this light, Beck (2006) expects focus intervention
inside the pivot. We argue that such intervention does occur:(33) Intervention in it-cleft pivots:a.

* It’s [ no book from THISF library] that John’s read

b.
c.

✓
✓

.

It’s [ from THISF library] that John’s read no book.
It’s [THISF library] that John’s read no book from
.

27
..

Intervention in it-clefts
The it-cleft associates with focus inside the pivot (Jackendoﬀ, 1972; Krifka,
2006). Therefore it-clefts are interpreted using both movement andalternative computation, much like wh-pied-piping:(32) It’s [pied-piping a. book .from THIS
. F library] λx. John read x.. .
Rooth-Hamblin alternatives

movement

Viewing cleft pivots in this light, Beck (2006) expects focus intervention
inside the pivot. We argue that such intervention does occur:(33) Intervention in it-cleft pivots:a.

* It’s [ no book from THISF library] that John’s read

b.
c.

✓
✓

.

It’s [ from THISF library] that John’s read no book.
It’s [THISF library] that John’s read no book from
.

27
..

In-situ Association with Focus

Rooth (1985, 1992): F-marked constituents stay in-situ and areinterpreted through focus alternative computation.
(34) In-situ Association with Focus:
I only. read a book from THIS
. F library. .
Under this approach to Association with Focus, Beck (2006) predicts thatthe entire region between only and the F-marked constituent isintervenable. However this is not the case:(35) Lack of intervention in in-situ focus constructions:✓
I only didn’t read a book from THISF library.

28..

In-situ Association with Focus

Rooth (1985, 1992): F-marked constituents stay in-situ and areinterpreted through focus alternative computation.
(34) In-situ Association with Focus:
I only. read a book from THIS
. F library. .
Under this approach to Association with Focus, Beck (2006) predicts thatthe entire region between only and the F-marked constituent isintervenable. However this is not the case:(35) Lack of intervention in in-situ focus constructions:✓
I only didn’t read a book from THISF library.

28..

In-situ Association with Focus

Rooth (1985, 1992): F-marked constituents stay in-situ and areinterpreted through focus alternative computation.
(34) In-situ Association with Focus:
I only. read a book from THIS
. F library. .
Under this approach to Association with Focus, Beck (2006) predicts thatthe entire region between only and the F-marked constituent isintervenable. However this is not the case:(35) Lack of intervention in in-situ focus constructions:✓
I only didn’t read a book from THISF library.

28..

In-situ association through covert movement
Another approach to Association with Focus argues that it involves covert
movement of the F-marked constituent with pied-piping (Drubig, 1994;
Krifka, 2006; Wagner, 2006, cf Chomsky 1976).
(36) Focus association through covert movement:
I .... only read a book from THIS
. F library. .
Moreover, the F-marked constituent is then interpreted throughRooth-Hamblin alternatives, inside the pied-piped constituent (Horvath,
2000; Krifka, 2006; Wagner, 2006).
☞ Under this view, we predict an intervenable region right above theF-marked constituent. We argue that that is indeed the case.
(37) Intervention in in-situ focus:* I only read [covert pied-piping no book from THISF library].
The contrast in (37) shows that, like with wh-movement, the largest
possible constituent is covertly pied-piped.
29..

In-situ association through covert movement
Another approach to Association with Focus argues that it involves covert
movement of the F-marked constituent with pied-piping (Drubig, 1994;
Krifka, 2006; Wagner, 2006, cf Chomsky 1976).
(36) Focus association through covert movement:
I .... only read a book from THIS
. F library. .
Moreover, the F-marked constituent is then interpreted throughRooth-Hamblin alternatives, inside the pied-piped constituent (Horvath,
2000; Krifka, 2006; Wagner, 2006).
☞ Under this view, we predict an intervenable region right above theF-marked constituent. We argue that that is indeed the case.
(37) Intervention in in-situ focus:* I only read [covert pied-piping no book from THISF library].
The contrast in (37) shows that, like with wh-movement, the largest
possible constituent is covertly pied-piped.
29..

In-situ association through covert movement
Another approach to Association with Focus argues that it involves covert
movement of the F-marked constituent with pied-piping (Drubig, 1994;
Krifka, 2006; Wagner, 2006, cf Chomsky 1976).
(36) Focus association through covert movement:
I .... only read a book from THIS
. F library. .
Moreover, the F-marked constituent is then interpreted throughRooth-Hamblin alternatives, inside the pied-piped constituent (Horvath,
2000; Krifka, 2006; Wagner, 2006).
☞ Under this view, we predict an intervenable region right above theF-marked constituent. We argue that that is indeed the case.
(37) Intervention in in-situ focus:* I only read [covert pied-piping no book from THISF library].
The contrast in (37) shows that, like with wh-movement, the largest
possible constituent is covertly pied-piped.
29..

In-situ association through covert movement
Another approach to Association with Focus argues that it involves covert
movement of the F-marked constituent with pied-piping (Drubig, 1994;
Krifka, 2006; Wagner, 2006, cf Chomsky 1976).
(36) Focus association through covert movement:
I .... only read a book from THIS
. F library. .
Moreover, the F-marked constituent is then interpreted throughRooth-Hamblin alternatives, inside the pied-piped constituent (Horvath,
2000; Krifka, 2006; Wagner, 2006).
☞ Under this view, we predict an intervenable region right above theF-marked constituent. We argue that that is indeed the case.
(37) Intervention in in-situ focus:* I only read [covert pied-piping no book from THISF library].
The contrast in (37) shows that, like with wh-movement, the largest
possible constituent is covertly pied-piped.
29..

In-situ association through covert movement
Another approach to Association with Focus argues that it involves covert
movement of the F-marked constituent with pied-piping (Drubig, 1994;
Krifka, 2006; Wagner, 2006, cf Chomsky 1976).
(36) Focus association through covert movement:
I .... only read a book from THIS
. F library. .
Moreover, the F-marked constituent is then interpreted throughRooth-Hamblin alternatives, inside the pied-piped constituent (Horvath,
2000; Krifka, 2006; Wagner, 2006).
☞ Under this view, we predict an intervenable region right above theF-marked constituent. We argue that that is indeed the case.
(37) Intervention in in-situ focus:* I only read [covert pied-piping no book from THISF library].
The contrast in (37) shows that, like with wh-movement, the largest
possible constituent is covertly pied-piped.
29..

Intervention in in-situ association
We provide the missing data point for Beck’s (2006) prediction that all
regions of Rooth-Hamblin alternative computation are intervenable.
☞ We have shown that intervention does occur in Association with
Focus constructions: inside the pied-piping of covert focus
movement.
(37)* I only read [covert pied-piping no book from THISF library].

(35)

✓

I only didn’t read [covert pied-piping a book from THISF library].

This parallels the pattern of intervention with covert wh-pied-piping:(13)* I know [which s. read [covert pied-piping no book from which library]].

(20)

✓

I know [which s. didn’t read [covert pied-piping a book from which l.]].

30..

Intervention in in-situ association
We provide the missing data point for Beck’s (2006) prediction that all
regions of Rooth-Hamblin alternative computation are intervenable.
☞ We have shown that intervention does occur in Association with
Focus constructions: inside the pied-piping of covert focus
movement.
(37)* I only read [covert pied-piping no book from THISF library].

(35)

✓

I only didn’t read [covert pied-piping a book from THISF library].

This parallels the pattern of intervention with covert wh-pied-piping:(13)* I know [which s. read [covert pied-piping no book from which library]].

(20)

✓

I know [which s. didn’t read [covert pied-piping a book from which l.]].

30..

Intervention in in-situ association
We provide the missing data point for Beck’s (2006) prediction that all
regions of Rooth-Hamblin alternative computation are intervenable.
☞ We have shown that intervention does occur in Association with
Focus constructions: inside the pied-piping of covert focus
movement.
(37)* I only read [covert pied-piping no book from THISF library].

(35)

✓

I only didn’t read [covert pied-piping a book from THISF library].

This parallels the pattern of intervention with covert wh-pied-piping:(13)* I know [which s. read [covert pied-piping no book from which library]].

(20)

✓

I know [which s. didn’t read [covert pied-piping a book from which l.]].

30..

Conclusion
Today:
1.

We argued for the existence of pied-piping in covert wh-movement:• by examining new patterns of Beck’s (2006) focus intervention eﬀects,• following work on intervention in overt pied-piping (S&H; Cable).
• We showed an LF preference for larger pied-piping.

2.

We motivated the use of focus intervention eﬀects as a diagnostic
for Rooth-Hamblin alternative computation and pied-piping.

3.

We presented evidence for intervention in focus constructions:• in overt pied-piping, i.e. the pivots of it-clefts;• in covert pied-piping, providing an argument for in-situ focus

association through covert focus movement (Krifka; Wagner; a.o.).
• This substantiates Beck’s (2006) conjecture that intervention eﬀects

occur not only in wh-questions, but also in focus constructions.

31..

Conclusion
Today:
1.

We argued for the existence of pied-piping in covert wh-movement:• by examining new patterns of Beck’s (2006) focus intervention eﬀects,• following work on intervention in overt pied-piping (S&H; Cable).
• We showed an LF preference for larger pied-piping.

2.

We motivated the use of focus intervention eﬀects as a diagnostic
for Rooth-Hamblin alternative computation and pied-piping.

3.

We presented evidence for intervention in focus constructions:• in overt pied-piping, i.e. the pivots of it-clefts;• in covert pied-piping, providing an argument for in-situ focus

association through covert focus movement (Krifka; Wagner; a.o.).
• This substantiates Beck’s (2006) conjecture that intervention eﬀects

occur not only in wh-questions, but also in focus constructions.

31..

Conclusion
Today:
1.

We argued for the existence of pied-piping in covert wh-movement:• by examining new patterns of Beck’s (2006) focus intervention eﬀects,• following work on intervention in overt pied-piping (S&H; Cable).
• We showed an LF preference for larger pied-piping.

2.

We motivated the use of focus intervention eﬀects as a diagnostic
for Rooth-Hamblin alternative computation and pied-piping.

3.

We presented evidence for intervention in focus constructions:• in overt pied-piping, i.e. the pivots of it-clefts;• in covert pied-piping, providing an argument for in-situ focus

association through covert focus movement (Krifka; Wagner; a.o.).
• This substantiates Beck’s (2006) conjecture that intervention eﬀects

occur not only in wh-questions, but also in focus constructions.

31..

Acknowledgements

Thank you! Questions?
We thank David Pesetsky, Martin Hackl, Danny Fox, Irene Heim, Maziar
Toosarvandani, Isaac Gould, Sasha Podobryaev, and Coppe van Urk for
helpful comments and discussion. We thank Ivona Kučerova for an
engaging conversation which led us down this path. All errors are eachother’s.

Slides: http://mitcho.com/academic/slides-nels2012.pdf
Handout: http://mitcho.com/academic/handout-nels2012.pdf

32..

References I
Beck, Sigrid. 2006. Intervention eﬀects follow from focus interpretation. Natural
Language Semantics 14.
Cable, Seth. 2007. The grammar of Q. Doctoral Dissertation, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology.
Cable, Seth. ms. Pied-piping: two recent approaches. LingBuzz.
Chomsky, Noam. 1976. Conditions on rules of grammar. Linguistic Analysis
2:303–350.
Dayal, Veneeta. 1996. Locality in wh quantification. Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Drubig, Hans Bernhard. 1994. Island constraints and the syntactic nature of focus
and association with focus. Arbeitspapiere des Sonderforschungsbereichs 340:
Sprachtheoretische Grundlagen der Computerlinguistik 51.
Hamblin, Charles. 1973. Questions in Montague English. Foundations of Language
10.
Heck, Fabian. 2008. On pied-piping: wh-movement and beyond. Berlin: Mouton de
Gruyter.
Heck, Fabian. 2009. On certain properties of pied-piping. Linguistic Inquiry
40:75–111.

33..

References II
Horvath, Julia. 2000. Interfaces vs. the computational system in the syntax offocus. In Interface strategies, 183–206.
Horvath, Julia. 2007. Pied-piping. In The Blackwell companion to syntax. Oxford:
Blackwell.
Huang, Cheng-Teh James. 1982. Logical relations in chinese and the theory ofgrammar. Doctoral Dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Jackendoﬀ, Ray. 1972. Semantic interpretation in generative grammar. MIT Press.
Karttunen, Lauri. 1977. Syntax and semantics of questions. Linguistics andPhilosophy 1:3–44.
Kotek, Hadas. upcoming. Intervention, covert movement, and focus computationin multiple wh-questions. Poster presentation at LSA 2013.
Krifka, Manfred. 2006. Association with focus phrases. In The architecture of focus,
105–136. Mouton de Gruyter.
Nishigauchi, Taisuke. 1990. Quantification in the theory of grammar. Kluwer.
Pesetsky, David. 1987. Wh-in-situ: movement and unselective binding. In The
representation of (in)definiteness. MIT Press.
Pesetsky, David. 2000. Phrasal movement and its kin. MIT Press.

34..

References III

Richards, Norvin Waldemar III. 1997. What moves where when in which language?
Doctoral Dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Rooth, Mats. 1985. Association with focus. Doctoral Dissertation, University of
Massachusetts, Amherst.
Rooth, Mats. 1992. A theory of focus interpretation. Natural Language Semantics
1:75–116.
Sauerland, Uli, and Fabian Heck. 2003. LF-intervention eﬀects in pied-piping. In
Proceedings of NELS 33.
Szabolcsi, Ana. 2006. How unitary are intervention eﬀects? Handout from
Brussels Conference on Generative Linguistic.
Wagner, Michael. 2006. Association by movement: evidence from NPI-licensing.
Natural Language Semantics 14.

35..

Appendix: Intervention in Beck (2006); Pesetsky (2000)

Beck (2006) primarily discusses focus intervention eﬀects between C andan LF-in-situ wh-word. This is observable in English insuperiority-violating questions.
Pesetsky (2000); Beck (2006): Both movement and alternative
computation strategies are used in English questions. In
superiority-violating questions, in-situ wh-words stay in-situ at LF and areinterpreted through alternatives.
(38)

a.

Which. boy .... C didn’t . read which.book?
⇒ no intervention
b. * Which.book C. did which
boy
read
?
.
.
.
⇒ intervention!
.

36
..

Appendix: Intervention in Beck (2006); Pesetsky (2000)

Beck (2006) primarily discusses focus intervention eﬀects between C andan LF-in-situ wh-word. This is observable in English insuperiority-violating questions.
Pesetsky (2000); Beck (2006): Both movement and alternative
computation strategies are used in English questions. In
superiority-violating questions, in-situ wh-words stay in-situ at LF and areinterpreted through alternatives.
(38)

a.

Which. boy .... C didn’t . read which.book?
⇒ no intervention
b. * Which.book C. did which
boy
read
?
.
.
.
⇒ intervention!
.

36
..

Appendix: Intervention in Beck (2006); Pesetsky (2000)

Beck (2006) primarily discusses focus intervention eﬀects between C andan LF-in-situ wh-word. This is observable in English insuperiority-violating questions.
Pesetsky (2000); Beck (2006): Both movement and alternative
computation strategies are used in English questions. In
superiority-violating questions, in-situ wh-words stay in-situ at LF and areinterpreted through alternatives.
(38)

a.

Which. boy .... C didn’t . read which.book?
⇒ no intervention
b. * Which.book C. did which
boy
read
?
.
.
.
⇒ intervention!
.

36
..

Appendix: Intervention in Beck (2006); Pesetsky (2000)

Beck (2006) primarily discusses focus intervention eﬀects between C andan LF-in-situ wh-word. This is observable in English insuperiority-violating questions.
Pesetsky (2000); Beck (2006): Both movement and alternative
computation strategies are used in English questions. In
superiority-violating questions, in-situ wh-words stay in-situ at LF and areinterpreted through alternatives.
(38)

a.

Which. boy .... C didn’t . read which.book?
⇒ no intervention
b. * Which.book C. did which
boy
read
?
.
.
.
⇒ intervention!
.

36
..

Appendix: Intervention in Beck (2006); Pesetsky (2000)

Beck (2006) primarily discusses focus intervention eﬀects between C andan LF-in-situ wh-word. This is observable in English insuperiority-violating questions.
Pesetsky (2000); Beck (2006): Both movement and alternative
computation strategies are used in English questions. In
superiority-violating questions, in-situ wh-words stay in-situ at LF and areinterpreted through alternatives.
(38)

a.

Which. boy .... C didn’t . read which.book?
⇒ no intervention
b. * Which.book C. didn’t which
boy
read
?
.
.
.
⇒ intervention!
.

36
..

Appendix: Ratings study• 10 items run on Amazon Mechanical Turk with no contexts.
• 4 conditions each: crossed a/no with complement/adjunct PPs.

(39) Except for John, I know which student read...
a. a book [PP-comp about which philosopher.
b. no book [PP-comp about which philosopher.
c. a book [PP-adj from which library.
d. no book [PP-adj from which library.

.
60%
.
7%
.
56%
.
7%

• Embedded under exceptives to prefer pair-list readings.
• 160 participants, forced-choice task.

☞ Main eﬀect of intervener, no eﬀect of complement vs. adjunct37..

Appendix: clausal pied-piping
Some of the original motivation for proposing that covert focus
movement pied-pipes comes from the observation that Association with
Focus is apparently island-insensitive. Drubig (1994) and others thus
propose that if the F-marking is inside an island, the pied-piping must be
at least island size. As is, this predicts larger intervenable regions:(40) I only
. read [the book that [Mary read at SCHOOL. F ]]. .
But this does not seem to be the case:(41)✓

I only. read [the book that [Mary didn’t read at SCHOOL. F ]].

Following Kotek (upcoming); Nishigauchi (1990), we propose that inclause-sized islands, the in-situ F-marked constituent (or wh-word) canmove inside the island, thus predicting a smaller intervenable region.
(41’) LF: I only
. read [ the book that [SCHOOL. F Mary didn’t read at . ]].
.
38..