Found:
Avoid Pronoun Principle
SYNTAX: a principle which states: 'Avoid Pronoun'. This principle, which is considered a subcase of a conversational principle ('don't say more than is required'), is invoked to impose a choice of PRO over an overt pronoun where possible. EXAMPLE: the principle explains why his in (i) does not refer to John, unless it is stressed.
(i) John would much prefer his going to the movieIf the subject of the phrase going to the movie refers to John, the Avoid Pronoun Principle requires PRO as a realization of that subject.
LIT. | Chomsky, N. (1981) |