It is argued that syntactic p r e f e r e n c e principles such as Right A s s o c i a t i o n and Minimal Attachment are unsatisfactory as usually formulated. Among the difficulties are: (I) dependence on ill-specified or implausible principles of p a r s e r operation; (2) d e p e n d e n c e on questionable a s s u m p t i o n s about syntax; (3) lack Of provision, even in principle, for i n t e g r a.