at that time serves now merely as reference point (since it is no longer believed to be correct). This theory distinguishes between 3 different binding conditions: A, B, and C. The theory classifies nominals according to two features, [±anaphor] and [±pronominal], which are binary. The binding characteristics of a nominal are determined by the values of these features, either plus or minus. Thus, a nominal that is [-anaphor, -pronominal] is an R-expression (referring expression), such as a common noun or a proper name. A nominal that is [-anaphor, +pronominal] is a pronoun, such as he or they, and a nominal that is [+anaphor, -pronominal] is a reflexive pronoun, such as himself or themselves. Note that the term anaphor here is being used in a specialized sense; it essentially means "reflexive". This meaning is specific to the Government and Binding framework and has not spread beyond this framework. Based on the classifications according to these two features, three conditions are formulated: Condition A An anaphor (reflexive) must have a local (nearby) antecedent. Thus, Johni washed himselfi obeys Condition A: the antecedent of himself, which is John, is nearby. In contrast, *Johni asked Mary to wash himselfi is unacceptable, because the reflexive and its antecedent are too far away from each other. Condition B A pronoun can have an antecedent as long as the antecedent is not local or does not c-command the pronoun. Thus Johni asked Mary to wash himi obeys Condition B; John is the antecedent of him, and him is sufficiently far away. On the other hand, *Johni washed himi is unacceptable. Condition C An R-expression cannot have an antecedent that c-commands it. Thus *Hei asked Mary to wash Johni is unacceptable. While the theory of binding that these three conditions represent is no longer held to be valid, as mentioned above, the associations with the three conditions are so firmly anchored in the study of binding that one often refers to, for example, "Condition A effects" or "Condition B effects" when describing binding phenomena. See also Notes References Bresnan, Joan. 2001. Lexical–Functional Syntax. Oxford: Blackwell. Bruening, B. 2014. Precede-and-command revisited. Language 90(1). Carnie, C. 2013. Syntax: A generative introduction, 3rd edition. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. Langacker, R. 1969. On pronominalization and the chain of command. Modern Studies in English, eds. D. Reibel & S. Schane, 160-186. Engelwood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Pollard, C. and I. Sag. 1992. Reflexives in English