Hak-youn Kim. 1997. Expletive Constructions in Optimality Theory. Studies in Modern Grammatical Theories 11: 91-105. The main purpose of this paper is to suggest LRI (Last Resort Insertion) instead of Subject in the rank of Subject ＞ FI for optimal expletive in non-pro drop language. The general framework of Optimal Theory in syntax is introduced focused on Ob-Hd constraint in subject-verb inversion in English, and Subject and FI constraints in English and Italian. However the Subject constraint defined as "subject position must be filled" is not enough to cover all the expletive constructions. When the so called associate-NP is definite(DP), it can satisfy EPP feature in Infl without expletive. And Default Agreement of Subject in Icelandic also blocks an expletive in the subject position. Instead the last resort insertion of expletive occurs in order to satisfy the EPP feature only when the associate-NP is indefinite(NP). This is because the expletive functions as a determiner. Therefore I suggest to replace Subject by LRI.

• 김학연 | Hak Youn Kim