On Apparent Problems of Pro Analysis of Null Argument

This paper aims to resolve apparent problems of pro analysis of null arguments. Ahn & Cho (2011a,b,c, 2012a,b) suggest that sloppy-like interpretation of null arguments arises when the missing argument, i.e. pro is roughly equivalent to a bare nominal and that the interpretation is derived by pragmatic explicature that can be cancelled, unlike genuine sloppy interpretation. Park & Bae (2012) and Park & Oh (2013) argue that the so-called identity reading of null argument constructions can be best accounted for by the ellipsis analysis. A clear understanding of the cases demonstrated for the identity reading can provide a basis for claiming that they are not regarded as counter-examples for pro analysis. The interpretational discrepancy between bare nominals and null arguments arises because some contexts force generic interpretations of bare nominals. Hence, presence of identity readings is not arguments against the pro analysis.