Extraction from NP, frequency, and minimalist gradient harmonic grammar

Abstract Extraction of a PP from an NP in German is possible only if the head noun and governing verb together form natural predicate. We show that this corresponds to collocational frequency verb-noun combinations corpora, based on metric Δ P . From we conclude should be conceived as language-external grammatical building block can directly interact with language-internal blocks (like triggers for movement economy constraints blocking movement) excitatory inhibitory ways. Integrating into syntax not option most current theories. However, things are different Gradient Harmonic Grammar , version Optimality Theory where linguistic objects various kinds assigned strength numerical values (weights). by combining Minimalist approach syntactic derivations constraint evaluation, role licensing extraction integrated straightforwardly, additional prerequisite being (verb-noun) dependencies qualify (based their frequency).