This article discusses the ‘null prep phenomenon’ reported in
several studies of the second language (L2) development of extraction constructions
(e.g. Klein, 1993a, 1993b; Klein, 1995a, 1995b). In these studies, L2 learners of
English who show subcategorization knowledge of verbs for their prepositional
complements, often leave out the required preposition in corresponding
interrogatives (and relative clauses as well). We review the theoretical and
acquisition issues related to null prep and summarize a proposal by Dekydtspotter,
Sprouse and Anderson (DSA, 1998) which posits that null prep grammars represent a
generalized procedure in L2 development, that of early reliance on A-bar binding
construals when the target grammar requires wh-movement. In a commentary,
we argue against some of the evidence offered in support of the DSA’s
proposal and offer an alternative analysis. Our proposal suggests that many L2
learners exhibit an interim stage of null operator movement in the development of
interrogatives before undertaking obligatory overt wh-movement. This
analysis sheds light on why null prep grammars occur among second although not first
language learners of English.
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