Abstract

This paper analyzes the differences between symmetric and asymmetric coordination. It provides evidence in favor of distinguishing two types of asymmetry in coordination: the first type involves structural asymmetry (i.e. c-command asymmetry between conjuncts) and the second type structural-relations asymmetry (i.e. asymmetry with respect to feature-checking configurations). Using evidence from conjunction of temporal elements in Spanish, the paper argues that asymmetry in grammatical relations is not tenable, although structural asymmetry must be maintained. A structure that respects both conclusions is proposed, where conjuncts have the same relation with respect to feature-checking heads and still display asymmetric c-command relations with respect to each other.