The main characteristic of this analysis is the hierarchical relationships among categories which allow generalisations to spread by means of "default inheritance", thereby capturing the contrast between "basic" or "underlying" patterns and "exceptions" or "transformations". Particular cases "inherit" the default pattern unless it is explicitily overidden by a contradictory rule; for example, by default English words follow the word they depend on, but exceptionally precede it. The use of default inheritance in syntax is controversial, in contrast with morphology where many theories invoke it.
- Creider & Hudson (2004), a pag.446