On the Nature of the Null Operator in Tough Constructions

This paper is concerned with the idiosyncratic nature of the null operator in tough constructions and its effects on their derivation. The null operator is a nonspecific bare NP and cannot be interpreted at LF. I propose that the null operator is therefore deleted and the trace in the infinitival clause is reanalyzed as an anaphor at LF. This analysis accounts for the fact that tough constructions show SSC effects, which are peculiar to A-bound elements. Furthermore, it interacts with complex-adjective formation at LF and explains the fact that SSC effects show up only when the infinitival clause has a lexical subject.