Constraints on Variables in Syntax

@cite{ross-1967}

@cite{ross-1967} identified the foundational island constraints that block long-distance wh-dependencies: embedded question constraint, Complex NP Constraint, adjunct clause constraint, Coordinate Structure Constraint, and subject constraint.

Vocabulary types

The descriptive ConstraintType / ConstraintStrength / IslandSource enums live in Phenomena/Islands/Basic.lean (cross-paper substrate), re-exported transitively for any consumer that already imports this file. Source and strength classifications are NOT stipulated globally — each study derives its own from its theoretical commitments. See:

• MannerOfSpeaking.lean: mosIslandSources, mosIslandStrength
• ShenHuang2026.lean: definiteNominalSources, definiteNominalStrength
• Adger2025.lean: adgerSubjectIslandSource, adgerDefiniteNominalSources
• CartnerEtAl2026.lean: subjectIslandSource

def Ross1967.embeddedQuestionConstraint : Paradigms.AcceptabilityJudgment.PhenomenonData

Embedded question constraint: wh-dependencies blocked across intervening wh-phrase

Equations

• One or more equations did not get rendered due to their size.

def Ross1967.complexNPConstraint : Paradigms.AcceptabilityJudgment.PhenomenonData

CNPC: wh-dependencies blocked into relative clauses and noun complements

Equations

• One or more equations did not get rendered due to their size.

def Ross1967.adjunctClauseConstraint : Paradigms.AcceptabilityJudgment.PhenomenonData

Adjunct constraint: wh-dependencies blocked into adjunct clauses

Equations

• One or more equations did not get rendered due to their size.

def Ross1967.coordinateStructureConstraint : Paradigms.AcceptabilityJudgment.PhenomenonData

CSC: asymmetric wh-dependencies blocked in coordination

Equations

• One or more equations did not get rendered due to their size.

def Ross1967.subjectConstraint : Paradigms.AcceptabilityJudgment.PhenomenonData

Subject constraint: wh-dependencies into subjects degraded

Equations

• One or more equations did not get rendered due to their size.

def Ross1967.islandData : List Paradigms.AcceptabilityJudgment.PhenomenonData

All island constraint data

Equations

• Ross1967.islandData = [Ross1967.embeddedQuestionConstraint, Ross1967.complexNPConstraint, Ross1967.adjunctClauseConstraint, Ross1967.coordinateStructureConstraint, Ross1967.subjectConstraint]