Complex predicates in English
This dissertation presents an approach to complex predicates in English which occupy the V and X(P) slots in the surface pattern <i>V-NP-X(P) </i>(e.g. <i>look it up</i>). Drawing on both standard and novel arguments and evidence, the approach proposes a constructional analysis of many V-X(P) combinations as grammatical units that are formed through the interaction of lexical templates and phrasal syntax. The analysis builds on two design features of the language. The first constraint organises constructions from the tightest to loosest combinations in the language (e.g. GivĂłn 2001). It permits a generalisation of V-X(P) constructions from idiomatic instances (e.g. <i>look up</i>) to two more general grammatical patterns that differ from each other in form and meaning. One is a V-X pattern (e.g. <i>put in</i>) and the other a V-XP pattern that has an âadditionalâ argument phrase, either nominal or verbal (e.g. <i>put in the box</i>). The second constraint divides the labour of constructional combination between the morpho-lexical and syntactic components with respect to ârestrictiveâ and âfreeâ combination (e.g. Jackendoff 1997a). It straddles the V-XP units between the V-X pattern that is restricted
Chang, K.
Complex predicates in English. This dissertation presents an approach to complex predicates in English which occupy the V and X(P) slots in the surface pattern <i>V-NP-X(P) </i>(e.g. <i>look it up</i>). Drawing on both standard and novel arguments and evidence, the approach proposes a constructional analysis of many V-X(P) combinations as grammatical units that are formed through the interaction of lexical templates and phrasal syntax. The analysis builds on two design features of the language. The first constraint organises constructions from the tightest to loosest combinations in the language (e.g. GivĂłn 2001). It permits a generalisation of V-X(P) constructions from idiomatic instances (e.g. <i>look up</i>) to two more general grammatical patterns that differ from each other in form and meaning. One is a V-X pattern (e.g. <i>put in</i>) and the other a V-XP pattern that has an âadditionalâ argument phrase, either nominal or verbal (e.g. <i>put in the box</i>). The second constraint divides the labour of constructional combination between the morpho-lexical and syntactic components with respect to ârestrictiveâ and âfreeâ combination (e.g. Jackendoff 1997a). It straddles the V-XP units between the V-X pattern that is restricted
complex predicate english present complex predicate english occupy slot surface pattern look drawing standard novel argument evidence propose constructional analysis many combination grammatical unit form interaction lexical template phrasal syntax analysis build design feature_language first constraint construction loose combination language permit generalisation construction idiomatic instance look general grammatical pattern differ form_meaning pattern put pattern additional argument phrase either nominal_verbal put box second constraint divide labour constructional combination morpho lexical_syntactic component respect restrictive free combination jackendoff straddle unit pattern restrict