Focus constraints on ellipsis - an unalternatives account

Abstract

This paper presents a new account of the generalization that focused elements cannot
be elided, framed within Unalternative Semantics, a framework that does away with syntactic
F-marking. We propose the mirror image of the generalization: what is elided cannot introduce
alternatives. We implement this as a focus restriction in UAS and then go on to show how
to account for MAXELIDE effects using the same technique, without making reference to any
transderivational constraints.
Keywords: focus, ellipsis, alternative semantics, unalternative semantics, MaxElide, secondary
focus.