A Minimalist Analysis of Weak Crossover Effects

This paper aims to find out a more persuasive theory of a weak crossover principle by comparing some linguists’ arguments concerning crossover phenomena. By reviewing various examples regarding weak/strong crossover and linking preferred to coindexation, this paper shows that a minimalist explanation linking renders it possible to account for weakest crossover data without the use of null epithets, while scrutinizing the environments of the so-called weakest crossover phenomena. A linking approach can finesse weak crossover effects. This paper also notes that the constructions with psych verbs are judged more acceptable than those without psych verbs. Following Chomsky (1993)’s assumption that objects move out of the VP to Spec AgrO for case-checking at LF, we can find another evidence further favoring a linking approach to weak crossover effects.