On Movement Constraints

Abstract

This is an attempt to explain and justify some transformational constraints that are more often than not treated as syntactic conditions. There is a whole range of data that is not accounted for by Ross' original formulation of the constraints. Much of it has been discussed in the bulk of literature dealing with the topic. Generally the approaches taken represent rather isolated and partial treatments. Using Montague's idea of 'main verb', we attempt to present a general treatment which is psychologically better justifiable than conventional treatments.