8.2.2 Control

In general, the antecedent has to be structurally above the pronoun. Let us call a structurally superior antecedent a binder. The principles involved in determining the distribution of pronouns can be stated as follows:

8.2.2 Control

8.2.2 Control

8.2.2 Control

This is a simplification and things are more complex than this and further complications can be found if we try to define precisely what the binding domain is. However, for our purposes it will suffice to know that there is a domain within which an anaphor must have a binder and a pronominal cannot.

8.2.2 Control

There are a range of possible ways to interpret this sentence depending on who is taken as the antecedent of PRO. The arbitrary reading is possible with the meaning that if anyone were to leave this would make things difficult for you. On the other hand, the sentence might mean that I am the one who could leave, and my leaving would make things difficult for you. Finally, it could mean that you are the person considering leaving and if this happens you will experience difficulties. All these cases involve conditions which are not possible for PRO in other contexts. In the first case, PRO has no antecedent, as already discussed. In the second the referent stands three clauses above the clause of which PRO is the subject and PRO typically has to have its antecedent in the next clause above it. Finally in the third possibility the antecedent is not in a structurally superior position and so it does not even count as a binder. Due to these observations, it has been claimed that in these circumstances PRO is free to refer to any element, as long as the conditions for that element are also respected, e.g. PRO would not be able to refer to a pronominal in a lower position in its own clause as this would give the pronominal a binder within its binding domain, which is not allowed for the pronominal.