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wanna-contraction

PHONOLOGY: Phonological contraction of want and to to wanna, going to to gonna, etc. In syntax this phenomenon is used in an argument to make a distinction between wh-trace and other empty elements, such as NP-trace or PRO.


(i)  Why do you want PRO to go	  -> ... wanna go

(ii) Who_ido you want t_ito go  -> *... wanna go

The intervening PRO subject in (i) does not block wanna-contraction, but the wh-trace in (ii) does.

LIT.

Lasnik, H. and M. Saito (1984)
Riemsdijk, H. van and E. Williams (1986)