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In:The Ziggurat of Grammar: In honor of Ur Shlonsky
Edited by Lena Baunaz, Giuliano Bocci and Andrew Nevins
[Language Faculty and Beyond 20] 2025
► pp. 224–250

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Chapter 12
Null subjects in Greek

Issues on structure and interpretation

 | National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
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Published online: 13 November 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1075/lfab.20.12spy
Abstract
I this paper, a typology of antecedentless null subjects in Greek is presented and discussed. It is shown that Greek exhibits an array of such antecedentless null subjects ranging from non-thematic expletive ones to thematic non-definite ones which receive generic/universal and existential interpretation. It is argued that null subjects are the null nominative forms of the weak pronoun and as such they involve a DP layer above a φP, the specification of which contributes to its reference. Non-definite readings arise, when the D head is not specified as definite, and the relevant interpretation depends on whether and how this head acquires or licenses its content.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Pleonastic null subjects
  • 3.Non-definite null subjects
  • 4.Null subjects as null pronouns
  • 5.Feature composition and interpretation
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • The following abbreviations are used in the glosses
  • References
References (50)
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