Complex sentence: In linguistics, in the study of syntax, an empty category is a nominal element that does not have any phonological content and is therefore unpronounced; they may also be referred to as covert nouns, in contrast to overt nouns which are pronounced.
Split into simpler sentences: In linguistics, in the study of syntax, an empty category is a nominal element that does not have any phonological content and is therefore unpronounced. They may also be referred to as covert nouns, in contrast to overt nouns which are pronounced.