Current transformational linguistic theory holds that there are two levels of sentence structure, derived constituent or surface structure and underlying or deep structure. Both have been proposed as the memory representation of sentences, but recent evidence suggests that the latter is the more likely. However, two recent studies have directly challenged this notion and suggest that rather than linguistic structure semantic vividness, as measured by imagery ratings, is the more important determinant of recall. In experiment one, nominals with different deep structures showing a recall difference were rated for imagery. No difference was found. In experiment two, nominals of equivalent deep structure showing no recall difference were rated for imagery. Significant differences were found. In experiment three, Ss were set to perceive ambiguous nominals with different deep structures and tested for recall. No differences were found. Thus, claims of imagery's importance can be dismissed. However, the failure of experiment three raises interesting questions about the psychological status of ambiguity in general. (Author)