Subtrigging

In formal semantics, subtrigging is the phenomenon whereby free choice items in episodic sentences require a modifier. For instance, the following sentence is not acceptable in English.


 * 1) *Any student signed the petition.

However, the sentence can be repaired by adding a post-nominal modifier such as a relative clause, prepositional phrase, or locative.


 * 1) Any student who went to the meeting signed the petition. (RC)
 * 2) Any student at the meeting signed the petition. (PP)
 * 3) Any student there signed the petition. (locative)