Cloze probability does not only affect N400 amplitude: The case of complex prepositions

Cloze-probability levels are inversely correlated with N400 amplitude, indicating an easier integration for expected words in semantic-pragmatic contexts. Here we exploited the prespecified standard order of complex prepositions and measured the ERPs time-locked to the last preposition in sentences in which complex prepositions were presented in their standard form or with the last preposition changed. The expected preposition elicited an N280 followed by an N400–700, two ERP components previously associated to the processing of closed-class words. The unexpected preposition elicited only an N280, and the N400–700 was reduced. These results reflect the specificity of the contextual constraints linked to the complex preposition word sequence.