The generation of negative inversion (NI) in both Standard English (SE) and Non-standard English (NSE) has been puzzles to the English grammar, mainly because of their grammatical idiosyncrasies. One prevalent approach for the construction in both is a configurational, movement one that contributes the inversion force to the so-called NEG criterion as well as to the interaction of functional projections and movement operations. In this paper, we provide a non-movement, construction-based analysis of the NI. In particular, we attribute the inversion force to purely constructional properties. This construction-based analysis, without resorting to movement operations or functional projections, can provide a simple analysis for the similarities and differences between SE and NSE NI constructions.
1. Introduction
2. Negative Inversion in SE
3. NI in the Non-standard English
4. A Construction-Based Approach
5. Conclusion