Table 1.

Example of materials used in Experiment 1

Recent Double VP, Sluicing, Acceptable

1a. Michael slept and studied, but he didn’t tell me what.

Distant Double VP, Sluicing, Acceptable

2a. Michael studied and slept, but he didn’t tell me what.

Recent Single VP, Sluicing, Acceptable

3a. In the morning, Michael studied but he didn’t tell me what.

Distant Single VP, Sluicing, Acceptable

4a. Michael studied in the morning, but he didn’t tell me what.

Recent Double VP, Control, Acceptable

5a. Michael slept and studied, but he didn’t tell me much.

Distant Double VP, Control, Acceptable

6a. Michael studied and slept, but he didn’t tell me much.

Recent Single VP, Control, Acceptable

7a. In the morning, Michael studied, but he didn’t tell me much.

Distant Single VP, Control, Acceptable

8a. Michael studied in the morning, but he didn’t tell me much.

Recent Double VP, Sluicing, Unacceptable

1b.* Michael slept and studied, but he didn’t tell me which.

Distant Double VP, Sluicing, Unacceptable

2b.* Michael studied and slept, but he didn’t tell me which.

Recent Single VP, Sluicing, Unacceptable

3b.* In the morning, Michael studied, but he didn’t tell me which.

Distant Single VP, Sluicing, Unacceptable

4b.* Michael studied in the morning, but he didn’t tell me which.

Recent Double VP, Control, Unacceptable

5b.* Michael slept and studied, but he didn’t tell me must.

Distant Double VP, Control, Unacceptable

6b.* Michael studied and slept, but he didn’t tell me must.

Recent Single VP, Control, Unacceptable

7b.* In the morning, Michael studied, but he didn’t tell me must.

Distant Single VP, Control, Unacceptable

8b.* Michael studied in the morning, but he didn’t tell me must.