Filler–gap dependencies and the remnant–correlate dependency in backward sprouting: Sensitivity to distance and islands

The relationship between the wh -remnant and null correlate in type of ellipsis known as backward sprouting is superficially almost identical to relation a -filler gap -question. In both cases, there dependency -phrase later element. We conduct sentence acceptability experiment test whether remnant–correlate exhibits two well-known properties filler–gap -questions: sensitivity clause boundaries (distance) islands. results show that types are sensitive boundaries, although effect larger case dependencies, but only dependencies These present challenge analyses which site contains full representation structure antecedent clause, since such predict island-sensitivity for dependencies. also suggest cannot be reduced simple processing demands without regard syntactic dependency, view would greater similarity than found.