Dynamic Discourse Referents for Tense and Modals

Abstract

In this paper, we argue that both modals and tense expressions are anaphoric, and can be handled by the same discourse mechanisms underlying the resolution of pronouns and other anaphoric devices. In support of this, we show that both modals and tense give rise to sloppy identity patterns. We explain this by assuming all anaphors, including tense and modals, can access dynamic discourse referents. By treating sloppy identity as a general feature of the resolution of anaphoric devices in...