Which theory includes the idea that there exists a finite set of deep structures that can be transformed into many surface forms?

• A. Deep Structures
• B. LAD
• C. Transformational Grammar
• D. Universal Grammar

Answer: (C)

Transformational Grammar holds that there is a finite set of deep structures representing underlying meanings, and a set of transformational rules that convert those deep structures into the many surface forms we utter. This framework explains how the same underlying relationships can surface as different sentences—such as statements, questions, or negations—through transformations. The idea of deep structures is built into this theory, but the key feature is the transformational mechanism that generates variety from a limited set of underlying representations. The other options don’t specify this process: Deep Structures points to the underlying representations themselves, LAD refers to a hypothesized device for language learning, and Universal Grammar concerns innate principles, not the rule-based transformation from deep to surface forms.