Embedding the antecedent in gapping: Low coordination and the role of parallelism

Building on a long tradition of earlier work, Johnson (2009:293) identifies three unique properties that distinguish gapping from superficially similar elliptical constructions, such as pseudogapping, e.g. Some had ordered mussels, and others had ∆ swordfish. First, gapping is restricted to coordination structures (2) (Jackendoff 1971:22, Hankamer 1979:18f.). Second, the gap in gapping cannot be embedded (3) (Hankamer 1979:19). Third, the antecedent in gapping cannot be embedded (4) (Hankamer 1979:20).