Bound variable pronoun (original) (raw)

A bound variable pronoun (also called a bound variable anaphor or BVA) is a pronoun that has a quantified determiner phrase (DP) – such as every, some, or who – as its antecedent. An example of a bound variable pronoun in English is given in (1). (1) Each manager exploits the secretary who works for him. (Reinhart, 1983: 55 (19a)) (2) John1 exploits the secretary who works for him1, and Adam2 exploits the secretary who works for him2. (Adapted from Reinhart, 1983: 55 (19a)) where him first refers to John, and then to Adam.