Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
IP
DP
I
Io
T
p
Spec
DP
We
o
VP
[+cause]
V
V0
Build
DP
a house
I
I0
T
p
DP
Mary
o
[+cause]
VP
V
V0
put
PP
DP
the books
P
P0
DP
on
the shelf
I
I0
DP
I
0
[+cause]
VP
V
V0
PP
DP
the glasses
P
P0
DP
shelf
The empty P head takes a complement (shelf) and it projects a specifier (the glasses).Because it is empty it
conflates with its complement, that is it fuses with its complement. The upper verb is also empty so it must
conflate with its complement, namely the P, so the verbal head acquires phonological substance, becoming
shelve. This is possible because there is a relation of strict complementation, as the V governs the
complement P, just like the P governs the DP. It is a strict head-head relation and condition, otherwise the
sentences would be ill-formed.
Eg. John corralled the cows. (put the cows in the corral)
*John cowed the corral.
The ill-formedess is motivated by the fact that the element undergoing conflation is projected in the
Specifier position of the PP, not in the head of the projection. Therefore conflation of a specifier is
impossible.
VP
V
V0
PP
DP
The cows
P0
DP
Corral
This is the reason why examples such as the ones below are ungrammatical.
Eg. *He booked on the shelf. (He shelved the books)
*We appled the box. (We boxed the apples)
*They housed with a roof. (They roofed a house. They fitted the house with a roof)
The Ergative alternation (causative/inchoative alternation)
Eg. The enemy sank the ship. / The ship sank.
They stopped the machine. / The machine stopped.
Derived unaccusatives
The DO of the transitive sentence is the Su of the intransitive sentence
One argument verbs, namely the internal one, a Theme which is projected in the object position at Dstructure and moves to [Spec,IP] at S-structure to be assigned case, as the intransitive counterpart is
unaccusative, it lacks an external argument, therefore cannot case-mark the internal argument.
The transitive variant is causative.
Alternating predicates involve a change of state and involve a CAUSE predicate
They describe eventualities that are under the control of some external cause
When used transitively, the external cause, is the subject of the sentence
They do not allow there-insertion (*There sank a ship.)
IP
DP
I
I0
VP
-ed
V0
Sink
DP
the ship
One can prove that such verbs are unaccusatives, namely that they lack an agent role since we cannot insert an
instrument role which is licensed only if an agent is present overtly or implicitly.
Eg. *The ship sank with a cannonball.
*The machine stopped with a stick.
Unaccusatives cannot control PRO. Generally, PRO can be controlled if the original role exists, which is not the
case of unaccusatives.
IP
DP
I
I0
T
VP
DP
-ed
V
V0
SC/AP
turn
DP
the leaves
A0
red
I
I0
T
-ed
p
DP
the
cold
0
[+cause]
VP
V
V0
turn
SC/AP
DP
A
the leaves
A0
red
I
I0
T
-ed
VP
DP
The sky
V
V0
-en
red
The adjective red moves and adjoins to the verbal affix en. It is an instance of Head Movement. When moving the
adjective leaves a trace behind, so a chain is formed. The adjective is incorporated under V0. We may support
the idea that zero-morphology de-adjectival verbs behave in the same way and incorporation also takes place with
such verbs.
The transitive counterparts of such verbs involve the appearance of the causative light verb.
IP
DP
I
I0
p
T
DP
0
-ed the
VP
Clouds [+cause] DP V
The
Sky
V0 A
-en
Induced Action Alternation
red
Eg. The rider jumped the horse over the fence./ The horse jumped over the fence.
I walked the dog. / The dog walked.
More restrictive only intransitive agentive verbs of manner of motion (in the presence of a directional
phrase) are allowed to be used transitively
Eg. Drive, fly, gallop, leap, march, race, run, swim, walk, etc
The causee is generally an animate entity induced to act by the causer
Eg. She hurried him to the door.
He was running the horse down the hill.
Other instances of causative alternation
Other basically intransitive verbs which denote internally controlled actions can, in certain cases be used
transitively, when externally controlled.
Eg. Bang, buzz, ring, clang, beam, flash, bleed
Fly, dangle, hang, stand, swing, sit
Lodge, burp
Eg. The visitors rang the bell./ The bell rang.
They stood the statue on the pedestal. / The statue stood on the pedestal.
The soldiers lodge in the schoolhouse. / The army lodged the soldiers in the schoolhouse.
The nurse burped the baby. / The baby burped.
Intransitives recategorized as causative transitives
Eg. He walked the horses up and down.
They generally graze their sheep on the neighbouring meadows.
The general worked his men ruthlessly.
You may sit down ten people with ease.
All the verbs in the sentences above are inherently intransitive verbs recategorized as transitive causative
verbs.
For which Kayne suggests movement of the NP, which is in fact movement to the right, when we know that
movement always occurs to the left.
A solution to this problem would be to accept the small clause analysis but the status of this small clause is that of
a Particle Phrase with a resultative meaning. As Particles are not case assigners they can intervene between the
verb and the NP without being a barrier to government and case assignment. The verb is transitive therefore it will
assign Accusative. No movement is stipulated for the structures above. Movement will occur with structures in
which the NP intervenes between the verb and the Prt. The NP moves to [Spec, Prt]. Movement occurs when the
NP has topic-like features, that is when its reference is quite determined.
She filled my plate up.
IP
DP
I
I0
-ed
p
DP
She
0
VP
[+cause]
V
V0
PrtP
Spec
Prt
DP
My plate i Prt0
DP
Up
ti
2ND YEAR MINOR SYNTAX 1
COURSE INSTRUCTOR: ROXANA-CRISTINA PETCU, PhD
ENGLISH SYNTAX SEMINAR -TRANSITIVE PREDICATION
10
I. Analyze the predicates in the sentences below:1. I shall have the boy rewrite the exercise.2. You make me laugh. 3.
Get the children ready, will you? 4. Well have to get this car repaired by the next week. 5. We convinced him to come.
6. Remind me to call you on the phone next week, will you? 7. War ruined her life. 8. The sun blinded him as soon as he
went out of the house. 8. They freed all the political prisoners at the end of the war. 9. The press belittled the
significance of the by-elections. 10. The disease disables thousands every year. 11. The architect enlarged the original
windows. 12. Heat will surely activate the electrons. 13. You are Americanizing the department in every possible way.14.
The clouds blackened the sky. 15. The strain of looking after her has considerably aged him. 16. That story horrified
everybody. 17.Your rudeness has lost you all your friends. 18. She galloped the horse showing no pity at all. 19. Walk the
dog before lunch, will you? 20. The room will sit about 20 people. 21. The river floats a lot of ships. 22. Luckily she
married Tom in her youth. 23. Fortunately, they caught the burglars on the premises.24. This gallery contains 19 th c
prints. 25. They ate the food with zest. 26. Your hat should match your bag. 27. You resemble your father. 28. She had
already dressed the child. 29. Our success exceeded our expectations. 30. They may simplify/ popularize the procedure.
31. In the end, he will surely tighten the rope. 32.Seven days constitute a week. 33. The ranger will fell those trees. 34.
His arrogance may enrage her. 35. The students have stopped the campaign. 36. The chairman opened the debate
during yesterdays meeting. 37. They will disarm the group when they meet them. 38. Mother thickened the sauce by
adding some flour. 39. Oil and grease will rot the rubber of your tires. 40. They
washed/dressed/bathed/hid/surrendered themselves. 41. His shabby appearance creates a bad impression on the
audience. 42. Well make a teacher of him yet. 43. The industry in this area causes a lot of pollution.
II. Are the predicates in the sentences below inherently transitive?
1. The nurse was jumping the baby on her knees. 2. The Prince retired the cavalry from Poland.3. The teacher stood the pupils
in a row. 4. She stood a case against a wall. 5. We shall dine the Japanese in our living room. 6. The captain rested his
soldiers and horses. 7.The waves floated the boat away. 8. The sight curdled the blood in her veins. 9. The scorching
heat withered the leaves. 10. He pointed the weapon at the wolf. 11. He galloped the horse. 12. The teacher worked us
hard. 13. I can walk the baby while you are cooking dinner.14. Hes run me off my feet. 15. Youve cried your eyes out.
16. Barely three weeks later the terrorists bombs rained terror down on their city. 17. She tried to stare the other out.
18. Hell cheat the trousers off your feet. 19. Hes shot his way into the leadership of the cult. 20. He barked out his
answer.
III. What type of alternations do the sentences below illustrate?
1.They dropped the stone to the bottom of the lake./ The stone dropped to the bottom of the lake. 2. The juice reddened the
water. / The water reddened. 3. The wind cleared the sky. / The sky cleared. 4. The waiter cleared the table. /*The table
cleared. 5. They killed their enemy. /*Their enemy killed. 6. Society widened the gap between the rich and the poor./
The gap between the rich and the poor widened. 7. She hurried Tom to the door./ Tom hurried to the door. 8. He was
running the horse down the hill./ The horse was running down the hill. 9. The patient was bleeding. / The doctor bled
the patient. 10. The patrol flashed a flashlight along the road. / The flashlight flashed along the road.11.I put the glasses
on the shelf. / I shelved the glasses. 12. Mary put the cows in the corral./ Mary corralled the cows./*Mary cowed the
corral. 13.The leaves turned red. / The cold turned the leaves red. 14. His eyes narrowed./ He narrowed hid eyes. 15. He
fitted the saddle on the horse. / He saddled the horse.
IV. Derive the sentences below:
1. The student wrote a paper. 2. The shop assistant put the goods on the counter. 3. The librarian shelved the books. 4. The
kidnappers blindfolded the hostages. 5. We opened the window. / The window opened.6. I cooled the soup. / The soup
cooled.7. She looked up the phone number./ She looked the phone number up.
V. Supply subcategorization frames for the following verbs:
ALLOW, ASK, ANSWER, BET. GRUDGE, COST, DENY. CHANGE, ENVY, FORGIVE, REFUSE, TEACH.
VI. Decide whether the sentences below containing phrasal verbs are grammatical or not. If they are
ungrammatical explain why.
11
1. She stood up and switched straight on the lamp. 2. I can drop Daisy off on my way home. 3. The French and the British
wanted to hold Chinese textile competition on the free market off as long as possible.4. Dont out off it till tomorrow. 5.
She handed the book back to Peter. 6.She handed Peter the book back. 7. They singled out Peter. 8. They rent that nice
house which they parents built for them out. 9.We had to work until midnight to finish them of. 10. Who has the cold
weather gotten the sister of down? 11. You seem to fit in an enormous amount of work every day. 12. A national strike
would bring the government down / A national strike would bring down the government. / A national strike would
bring what we know as the authorities down. 13.Epidemics wiped right out the local population. 14. Visitors wear out us
more than the children do. 15. Inspector Standish was trying to clear a complicated problem up. / Inspector Standish
was trying to clear up a complicated problem. / Inspector Standish was trying to clear what seemed to be a very
complicated problem up.
VI. Fill in the blanks in the sentences below using MAKE or DO:
1. He a lot of money last year. 2. They .. peace last year. 3. I always . my best. 4. That glass of wine has . Me
good. 5. Will you .. me a favour? 6. Are you trying to .out a liar? 7. You must up for the lost time.
8.Will this for you? I think I can . it ... 9. Youve only half an hour left, so youd better . the most
of it. 10.I could . With a few more people like you to up for the time Ive lost with the others.
VII. Translate into English:
A. Make use of the verb MAKE:1. Am aranjat s plecm mpreun la munte n luna februarie. 2. Populaia a fcut attea
sacrificii nct nu mai este dispus s cedeze promisiunilor guvernului. 3. Trebuie neaprat s-mi promii ceva. 4. Te
rog s nu mai faci treaba de mntuial cum i este obiceiul. 5.A ncercat s pun mna pe putere, dar adversarii si
politici au fost mai abili i l-au nvins. 6. Houl a luat-o la sntoasa cnd a auzit ca mai incerca cineva ua de la intrare.
7. Dei nu ar fi vrut-o, s-a vzut nevoit s mrturiseasc totul pentru ca ceilali aveau deja prea multe dovezi mpotriva
lui. 8. Dup o absen de cinci ani, cnd nimeni nu mai credea c este posibil, actria a revenit din nou pe scen i a
avut un succes deplin n noul rol. 9. Comportarea ta va avea clar un impact asupra acestei situaii dac vei continua s
te pori tot aa.10. Fiica lui urma s se cstoreasc, aa c a trebuit s se scobeasc n buzunar i s plteasc toate
cheltuielile, orict de ru i-ar fi prut dup bani.
B. Make use of the verb DO:1. i-a luat licena n drept. 2. Nu-mi vine s cred, a jefuit o banc n tineree, de aceea este
att de bogat. 3. Restaurantul acesta servete numai prnzul i cina, nu i micul dejun.4. Ieri primul ministru a inut un
discurs n care a acordat toat atenia cuvenit contribuiei partidelor de opoziie la invitaia pentru aderarea la NATO.
5. A fcut pe dracu n patru i a reuit s-i conving s mearg cu el n acea cltorie foarte periculoas. 6. tiu c m-a
minit de la obraz dar atept s-i vin mintea la cap i s-mi spun singur adevrul. 7. Nu trebuie s te grbeti, poi s
faci treaba asta cnd socoteti tu de cuviin, dar te rog s nu fie mai trziu de sfritul lunii. 8. Mine dau o petrecere
aa c am apelat la un specialist s-mi fac aranjamentele florale. 9. Cnd ai de gnd s faci curat n camer? 10.
Directorul fabricii a vrut s-l angajeze dar s-a rzgndit pentru c a aflat c a stat la rcoare.
C. Pay attention to the use of the reflexive and of the causative verbs:
12
1. Nu are niciodat nici un moment pentru sine deoarece trebuie s aibe grij de copii. 2. S-au recunoscut nfrni.3. Se
exprim cu o mare uurin. 4. Omul se poate auto-guverna. 5. Trebuie s stabileasc o relaie cu o lume total nou i
necunoscut. 6. Trebuie s te ntreti sufletete nainte de a te duce la dentist. 7. S-a strduit din rsputeri s ia
examenul 8. Nu-i mai rmne nimic altceva de fcut dect s te aduni, cci toat familia ta depinde de tine.9. M-am
fcut util n timpul pregtirii reuniunii pentru c an vrut s m pub bine cu eful. 10. tia cu siguran ce se petrecea n
sinea lui, dar nu voia s recunoasc. 11.Pacientul a leinat din cauza sngerrii. 12. Mizeria a transformat-o ntr-o
persoan cinic i egoist. 13. Vrjitorul l-a transformat pe prin ntr-un pitic dizgraios. 14. Vntul a sfrmat corabia
n buci.15. Ploaia a transformat praful ntr-un strat gors de noroi. 16. Revoluia a dat natere unei noi atitudini de
via.17. Accidentul su de main a fost cauzat de o explozie. 18. Cearta cu mama sa i-a provocat un infact. 19. Am puso pe servitoare s ne aduc ceva de mncare.20. Prinii o vor obliga pe Jane s se cstoreasc cu un brbat pe care
nu-l iubete.21. M-au convins s plac cu ei. 22. n cele din urm. neglijena le-a ruinat afacerea. 23. Au tiat nite copaci
n pdure.24. Trebuie s-i faci viaa mai bun cu orice pre. 25. Conchistadorii i-au obligat pe btinaii din America
Latin s treac la catolicism.26. Drumul acela prin uraul ntunecat i pustiu mi-a adncit i mai mult teama. 27.
Atitudinea asta de total lips de interes m va innebuni cu siguran. 28. Cnd s-a suit pe tron noul rege i-a decapitat
dumanii. 29. Isus Christos i-a imputernicit pe apostoli s-l reprezinte pe pamnt-. 30. Cred c aceast schimbare de
nfiare te nfrumuseeay. 31. S nu idealizezi niciodat pe numeni.32. Lipsa de perspectiv l-a demoralizat complet.
33. Noua sa nuvel i-a adus un renume extraordinar. 34. In fiecare zi i plimb cinele n parcul din faa casei. 35. L-a
grbit pe pacient s ias din cabinet pentru c era deja n ntrziere. 36. Am intrat n cas i am aezat umbrela n
picioare lng perete. 37. Cred c nu este bine s aezi scaunul n mijlocul camerei, se poate mpiedica cineva de el. 38.
eful i pune oamenii s munceasc fr nici o ncetare. 39. Privelitea masacrului le-a fcut s li se nceoeze
privirea. 40. Sttea cu coatele pe marginea mesei.
13
14
Other verbs which are compatible with the change of possession concept, but do not allow
the double object construction
1) manner of speaking verbs babble, bark, bellow, chant, call, murmur, roar, whisper, yell, stammer,
grumble, etc
Eg. She whispered the news to her mother.
*She whispered her mother the news.
2) verbs of communication subcategorizing for a complement clause admit, allege, announce,
articulate, say, assert, communicate, question, claim, report, declare, confess, mention, state, repeat,
recount
Eg. (a)She communicated the news to John.
(b) She communicated to John [that she would go there by all means]CP functioning as Direct Object clause.
*She communicated John the news.
3) miscellaneous entrust, present, provide, supply, credit, furnish, carry, pull, push, lift, lower, raise
Eg. They presented the prize to her.
*They presented her the prize.
The [+animate] constraint
Eg. She brought disaster to the village. / *She brought the village disaster.
She brought a book to Mary. / She brought Mary a book.
The PrepNP [+animate] - needs to be recognized as a potential possessor.
Idioms the double object construction is allowed irrespective of the [+animate] constraint. In fact, it is
the only possible form.
Eg. give the house a coat of paint, give the door a kick, give the problem ones full attention, give somebody
the creeps, give something his all, etc
He gave the house anew coat of paint./ *He gave a new coat of paint to the house.
The Benefective Alternation
Eg. She carved a toy for the baby (Benefective)
She carved the baby a toy.
Verbs of creation in a general sense enter the Benefactive alternation; the DO an effected object
Build verbs arrange, assemble, blow, build, carve, knit, embroider, forge(metal), hammer,roll,
sculpt, compile
Prepare verbs mix, blend, cook, bake, boil, brew, fix, toast, toss, grind, light, clear, fry, iron, poach,
pour, prepare, roast, scamble, wash
Get verbs book, buy, cash, catch, fetch, find, gather, hire, lease, leave, order, phone, pick, pluck,
procure, pull, reach, rent, reserve, save, secure, slaughter, sreal, vote
Create verbs design, dig, mint
Verbs of performance dance, play, sing, spin, whistle,
Syntax
(Larson)
15
V
V
[e]
VP
NP
Theme
V
V
give
PP
P
NP
Goal
V
V
[e]
VP
NP
Goali
V
V
V
Give
NP
Theme
NP
ti
IP
16
DP
I
I0
T
p
DP
They
0
+cause
VP
DP
The
Teacher
V
V0
DP
Get
a present
I
Io
P
DP
they
VP
[+cause]
V
V0
Get
SC/PP
DP
A present
P
P0
to
DP
the teacher
Pesetskys analysis
He proposes that a double object construction contains a null element (a preposition) G which case-marks
the second NP.
Eg. John offered Mary G flowers.
Pesetsky describes this preposition as null and affixal, and its role is to introduce the Theme argument in
the double object construction.This null preposition is the one which assigns case to the the Theme
argument the way the overt preposition to assigns case in the prepositional variant. Because G is an affix it
needs a host, that is it must be adjoined to a non-affixal category, so G moves and adjoins to the governing
verb.
17
IP
DP
I
I0
T
-ed
p
DP
John
VP
+cause
V
V
PP
V0
NP
Offer
Mary
P
P0
NP
flowers
18
V.Apply Dative Movement in the sentences below; if it is not possible explain why.
1. They brought some flowers to Mary. / They brought some flowers to the table. 2. The sun baked these cookies
for John. / Grandmother baked these cookies for John. 3. He wrote a letter to his sister. / He wrote a letter for his
sister. 4. They donated the books to Tom / to the library. 5. The storm brought disaster to the city-dwellers. 6. He
will teach Marys students for her. 7. She made a new dress for her daughter. 8. Professor Jones thanked the
Rector for his students. 9. They promised a reward to the finder. 10. He owes a great sum of money to me.
VI. If necessary, correct the sentences below:
1. She admitted me the mistake.2.I had to deny his request to him. 3. Bill decided not to mention his sore throat to
the doctor.4.They explained me the procedure. 5. The suspect confessed the police his crime.6. We all envied his
lifestyle to him.7. She announced her decision the delegates.8. That adventure cost him his life. 9. My grand
parents gave a coat of paint to the house.10.The scientists demonstrated the new method to their
colleagues.11.They built us a new house.12. Her new coat cost a fortune to her.13. I reported my boss the
theft.14.Because of her present financial difficulties, Im afraid we must refuse you a pay rise.15. I pointed out the
danger to the mechanic.16. Ann didnt have the time to take her library books back, so I took them to her.17.I
made him a cup of coffee.18.Can you describe the attacker to me?19.Could I introduce you John?20.The university
awarded a $10,000 grant Dr.Henderson, allowing him to continue his research.
VII. In the sentences below pronominalize the two objects, apply Dative Movement(if possible),
apply Object Deletion (if possible):
1. He will hand in the paper to the teacher tomorrow. 2. She hasnt written a letter to us for ages. 3. Susan read a
story to little Tom. 4. The war ruined our future for us. 5. I offered the book to John. 6. Mary bought some flowers
for herself. 7. Has he paid the money to you? 8. The earthquake brought disaster to Iran. 9. He explained that
incredible story to me. 10. The lecturer distributed the hand-outs to the students.
VIII. Consider the dative strings below in terms of: 1) possible pronominalization; 2) possible nonprepositional Double Object occurrence:
1. John has handed his room key to the receptionist. 2. Robert has taught English to all the youth of Ceylon and
India. 3. I lent my typewriter to a friend for the week-end. 4. The Express magazine offers $ 1000 to any reader
who could relate some details on the murder. 5. Rose bought a piece of cheese for her sister. 6. The last earthquake
brought disaster to Japan. 7. She gave a kiss to her son.
IX. The following Vs may occur with either a Goal or a Beneficiary role materialized as Indirect
Object: BRING, LEAVE, WRITE, SING. Compare and point out the semantic difference : 1. Karen wrote a letter
to her boyfriend. 2. Karen wrote a letter for her boyfriend.
X. Analyze the objects in the sentences below:
1.He explained to me why he had been late.2.Mary had a bath before falling asleep.3.She was not sure of the
news.4.She was living a dreadful life, among strangers.5.Joan married Ken in no time.6.He fought with his
neighbour because they were cross with each other.7.He broke his leg when he least expected it.8.I acquainted
myself with the surroundings.9.Don tell me this nonsense, I dont believe you.10. They knew they were fighting a
losing battle. 11.He burst in on me one morning. 12. They appealed to her for mercy. 13. You will never live up to
my expectations. 14. We argued with the authorities about the building permit. 15. He explained to me why he had
been late.
c)the semantic level a change in the relation between the underlying role-structure of the sentence
and its organization. The agent(subject) no longer appears in the subject position in the sentence, while
the patient (the object) appears in subject position.
Stylistically speaking, the Passive makes the discourse more objective, what is important is not the
agent anymore, but the event denoted by the verb itself.
The Passive Morphology be + the past participle. Passive verbs behave like unaccusative
verbs. The external theta role of the verb that undergoes passivization is absorbed by the passive
morphology, namely the past participle of the verb. The verb is generated from the Lexicon as
passive, and it behaves as an unaccusative that only has an internal argument which has to move
to [Spec,IP] in order to be assigned case and also to satisfy the Extended Projection Principle
which says that all finite sentences must have a subject. As it behaves as an unaccusative verb it
does not theta-mark an external argument so it cannot assign Accusative case. The internal
argument moves to [Spec,IP] and leaves behind a trace that forms a chain with the moved
constituent <DPi , ti > The external argument of the original active verb can be recovered in the
passive sentence as a prepositional phrase headed by the preposition BY which assigns it the theta
role Agent as well as case or it can be implicit. In other words, the external role of the passive verb
is active both semantically and syntactically. A verbal passive is always related to a syntactically
present NP that acts as its logical subject, either a by-phrase or a covert NP.
Properties of verbal passives accounted for in terms of the presence of the external
argument, either overtly or covertly:
1. the logical subject controls the PRO subject of an infinitival purpose clause (the PRO subject of
the infinitive can be identified as the logical subject of the passive verb). In example a) the logical
subject is overt, while in example b) it is covert; we can assume it is the NP the peasants which is
not overtly expressed in the sentence, yet it controls the PRO subject of the infinitive
eg. a) The meeting was started on time by Susani PROi to please the host.
b) This corn has been grown (by the peasants i) PROi to stave off famine.
2. a syntactically present animate subject (an agent) needs to be present so as to allow the
occurrence of subject-oriented volitional adverbs
eg. a) Our workers are better paid intentionally by the new boss.
b) *Our workers are better paid intentionally.
c) *Most of our furniture is still unmoved on purpose by the company.
In sentence a) the logical subject, the NP by the new boss is animate, agentive and overt, therefore it
licenses a volitional adverb. In sentence b), the logical subject is covert, so it cannot license a
volitional adverb, while in sentence c) the logical subject, the NP by the company is not animate, so it
cannot license the adverbial on purpose, which is subject-oreinted.
DP
I
I0
VP
V0
VP
-ed
BE
V
V0
Invited
PP
(by the students)
DP
the professor
The DP the professor (the internal argument of the verb) moves to [Spec, IP] in order to be assigned
structural Nominative by Io, it leaves behind a trace which will be coindexed with the moved DP; the
Auxiliary verb BE rises to Io to check the Tense feature. The PP by the students recovers the Agent and it
may be overt or covert. The NP inside the PP is assigned theta-role and case by the preposition by.
Conditions on the Passive the adjancency constraint(the double object construction; the dative
verbs) (even with non-arguments of the verb)
Eg. (1) She gave a book to me. / A book was given to me. / *I was given a book to.
She gave me a book. / I was given a book. / *A book was given me.
(1)She wore her pullover thin.
Her pullover was worn thin.
(2)He shouted us into silence.
We were shouted into silence
- no reflexives and reciprocals (He watched himself. / *Himself was watched by him)
- no idiomatic IT ( This argument eats it. / *IT is eaten by this argument.)
Middles
Eg. The poem reads easily./ Tennis balls sell best in summer./ The play reads better than it acts../ This fabric
washes easily./ Cotton shirts iron well./ These figures add easily.
Properties of the English Middles
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they are one argument verb, the agent is not overt in the sentence.It may be understood as one or people
in general, although it may be specific at times.
Eg. The car handles smoothly when John drives it.
Unaccusatives do not have an external argument, not even an implicit one, so they can co-occur with all by
itself, in the sense that something happens without external aid, agentlessly, unlike middles, ahich cannot
co-occur with all by itself, which indicates the fact there in the semantic structure of the Middles there is
an Agent
Eg. The boat sank all by itself.
*The play acts well all by itself.
The meaning contribution of the subject of a middle sentence is different from the meaning contribution of
the subject in a passive sentence, as the theta roles assigned to the subjects of a middle sentence are very
different.
Eg. The book reads easily. [Theme]
Children scare easily. [Experiencer]
The truck loads easily. [Location]
Eg. The book reads easily. (It can be paraphrased as the book has the necessary properties that allow
it to read easily. Somehow the subject is responsible for the action
denoted by the verb.)
The book was easily read.
In an unaccusative sentence the subject cannot be interpreted as responsible because it refers to a concrete entity.
Eg. The door opens with difficulty.
So, the subject of a middle sentence is an entity, a non-Agent which is responsible for the action denoted by the
verb, in the sense that it has the necessary properties which make the situation denoted by the verb possible.
Middles are generic sentences that do not describe particular events in time. They are seen as stative, atelic
predicates, like individual level predicates. They are compatible with always and incompatible with the
progressive. When they occur in the progressive they denote a change between successive stages. They do
not occur in the imperative.
Eg. This book always reads easily.
The manuscript is reading better and better.
*Handle smoothly, car!
Middle generally occur with obligatory modifications. It can be a Manner Adverbial, a Locative Adverbial, a
clausal modifier (non-purpose), a negative operator or an overt modal verb. The role of the modifier is to
stativize the predicate. At the same time it indicates the presence of an Agent in the semantic structure of
Middle verbs.
Eg. This book translates easily. (Manner)
Make sure the sddress reads through window. (Place)
Officials bribe before reaching high office. (Adverbial clause of time)
This text does not translate. (Negation)
This text will not translate.(overt modal and negation)
Agent oriented adverbs are not allowed in middle sentences.
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Only transitive causative verbs that allow an Agent, an Instrument or a Cause in the subject
position
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men.42.Some girls love it if men pay them compliments.43.Someone gave me this pen for Christmas.44.Everyone
was listening to the news bulletin with avid interest.45.They told him curtly to go away.46.They are now building a
new cinema there.47.I assure you that the authorities are investigating your complaint.48.Some people object if
others make them work hard.49.I hate it when people make fun of me, though I dont mind it if they tease
me.50.My sisters fianc is cooking dinner tonight.It smells all right anyway.51.He left without anyone noticing
him.52.He is tired of other people sponging him on.53.People believe the authorities accused them of planning
amn armed revolt. 54.They swamped the ordinary voters with information about the candidates.55.Provided we
do not press the terms to far, we can identify the Republicans as the American conservatives and the Democrats as
the liberals.56.The law fixes the dates of the American presidential elections and there is no margin for
discretion.57.The voters mandate each member of the electoral college in advance. 58. They expect the Congress
will appoint him leader of the party.59.Somebody broke the vase during the party.60.Some crazy kids destroyed
my neighbours car last night.
IX.Translate into English:
1.Nu se pstreaz nici o dovad referitoare la vizita pe care spune c a fcut-o la Paris n 1978.2.Cum ni expirase
viza mi s-a interzis s mai intru n ar.3.Va fi ateptat la aeroport?4.Directorului I s-a trimis o invitaie din partea
consilului administrativ s se prezinte pe data de 20 ale lunii i s justifice propunerile ce fuseser fcute privind
modificarea organigramei ntreprinderii.5.Mare parte din ce s-a spus la ntrunire a fost notat n procesul
verbal.6.Operaia la care a fost supus a durat 6 ore.7.S-a auzit un strigt la cellat capt al coridorului i s-a vzut o
umbr neagr prelingndu-se pe perete.8.Hotrrea ei de a nu se cstori cu acel domn a fost aprobat de ntreaga
familie.9.Foarte multe obiecte de art deosebit de valoroase s-au distrus n timpul cutremurului.10. Se tie c
nimeni nu putea s-l sufere cnd era preedintele acelei fundaii.11.S-a acceptat n general idea c cele mai multe
IMM-uri din domeniul transporturilor sunt localizate n zonele de sud, centru i sud vest.12.n ultimul an s-a
nregistrat o scdere accentuat a realizrilor economice ale zonei.13.Dup un timp am pierdut vaporul din
vedere.14.Nu-mi vine s cred c aceste obiecte de mbrcminte au fost purtate de Regina Maria.15.Cum treceam
pe lng tejghea mi s-a dat un platou i am fost rugat s-l aduc la mas.16.Situaia a fost prezentat n faa
membrilor adunrii generale crora li s-a cerut s ia o hotrre urgent pentru ca lucrurile s poat fi remediate
ct mai curnd cu putin.17.Se pare c s-a descoperit un nou medicament pentru a lupta contra cazurilor de astm
la copii.18.Este posibil ca n urmtoarele cteva zile s fie eliberat un nou grup de prizonieri politici.19.Aproape
ntreg programul conferinei a fost alocat unui raport despre situaia din Irak.20.Nu tiu cum , dar n cele din
urm am fost convins s-mi cumpr o motociclet.21.S-a czut de accord s se amne ntrunirea.22.Toat lumea
se atepta ca daunele s fie deosebit de mari.23.Se vede clar c preurile au crescut vertiginos n luna
septembrie.24.S-a luat hotrrea s se construiasc un nou drum comunal.25.Ni s-a comunicat c minsitrul de
finane i-a dat demisia.26.nc nu s-a admis official c situaia dramatic a nvmntului superior romnesc
este cauzat n mare parte se subfinanarea cronic.27.Actualmente exist opinia c informaiile sunt transmise la
creier de ctre diverse substane chimice.28.Se crede c mai exist nc multe obstacole n calea procesului de pace
din Orientul Apropiat.29.n 1981 se cunotea doar existena a doi specialiti n acea boal extrem de rar n toat
lumea.30.S-a formulat acuzaia c prtul ar fi fost implicat ntr-un jaf armat.
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