The syntax of answers

Abstract Answers to yes–no questions are sentences even when they are just a question particle or just a verb. An answer can be a declarative sentence expressing one of the alternative propositions posed by the question, or it may be a focused polarity feature spelled out as a particle or supported by a moved verb or moved remnant PolP, assigning value to an unvalued polarity feature inherited from the question, with the IP (PolP) deleted. The identity condition on ellipsis in answers is discussed and the distribution of answer types among world languages. There are two types of verb-echo answers, one derived by pro-drop and VP-ellipsis, the other derived by verb movement or remnant PolP-movement. A distinguishing test is proposed. The verb-echo type derived by movement is characteristic of about 25% of the world’s languages. The derivation of yes–no answers in Welsh, Finnish, and Thai is discussed in some detail.