Do So is Shallow

Abstract

This paper explores do so as a case of VP anaphora. According to Hankamer and Sag's (1976) seminal work, do so is classified as a surface anaphor. After examining several tests of anaphora, I first show that do so is on the borderline of Hankamer and Sag's dichotomy of deep vs. surface anaphora. As a consequence, I propose that shallow anaphora exists between deep and surface anaphora and that do so is such a case. The paper also explores Postal's (1969) outbound anaphora of do so vs. do it out of anaphoric islands. I argue that outbound anaphora is influenced by the mood, tense, and aspect values associated with the host verb do.