Verb Phrase Ellipsis in Moroccan Arabic: A Semantic Review

Abstract: Verb phrase (VP) ellipsis constitutes a central mechanism of implicit communication in discourse, enabling speakers to omit linguistic material that remains recoverable from context. The interpretation of VP ellipsis has traditionally been explained through form-based accounts that assume structural identity between antecedent and ellipsis site. However, such approaches encounter difficulties when addressing context-sensitive interpretations and cases of sloppy identity. In this review article, a meaning-based account of VP ellipsis is examined within a discourse-model framework. Semantic representations of verb phrases are treated as antecedents in a manner comparable to pronominal anaphora. Particular attention is devoted to evidence drawn from Moroccan Arabic, where context-dependent interpretations challenge purely syntactic identity approaches. The review demonstrates that VP ellipsis resolution relies heavily on semantic inference, discourse salience, and contextual interpretation rather than strict structural copying. The findings support a broader semantic and inferential perspective on ellipsis interpretation.