Used in syntax, a relationship between
nodes on a
tree. A node
X c-commands a node
Y if and only if the node that immediately
dominates
X also dominates
Y, and neither
X nor
Y dominates the other. (Or, put another way, "a node c-commands its
sisters and
nieces.")
Z
/ \
X Y
/ \
P Q
Here,
- X c-commands Y, P, and Q
- Y c-commands X
- P c-commands Q
- Q c-commands P
This relationship is extremely important to theories of government and binding.
See linguistics metanode, Principle A, Principle B, Principle C.