Trace erasure principle

The Trace Erasure Principle is a stipulation proposed by Noam Chomsky as part of the Generative-Transformational Grammar. Under the Trace Erasure Principle, traces of a noun phrase (NP) can be replaced only by a designated morpheme and not by an arbitrary NP. The following is an example of this Principle: A person is here, waiting for you. can be transformed into: There is a person here, waiting for you. and this Principle remains fulfilled. Both sentences hold the same meaning, because we have designated There to replace a person —both terms are mutually linked—, and the meaning remains.

Trace erasure principle

The Trace Erasure Principle is a stipulation proposed by Noam Chomsky as part of the Generative-Transformational Grammar. Under the Trace Erasure Principle, traces of a noun phrase (NP) can be replaced only by a designated morpheme and not by an arbitrary NP. The following is an example of this Principle: A person is here, waiting for you. can be transformed into: There is a person here, waiting for you. and this Principle remains fulfilled. Both sentences hold the same meaning, because we have designated There to replace a person —both terms are mutually linked—, and the meaning remains.