CAS LX 522 Syntax I

Episode 8a. Passives andEpisode 8a. Passives andremaining issuesremaining issues

6.4-6.76.4-6.7

CAS LX 522CAS LX 522Syntax ISyntax I

The case of The case of prepositional objectsprepositional objects

Several issues arose in the course of Several issues arose in the course of HW6 that may are worth highlighting HW6 that may are worth highlighting here.here.

One concerns the case of the object of One concerns the case of the object of a preposition: a preposition: Computers break near meComputers break near me..

Now that we’ve incorporated case into Now that we’ve incorporated case into our system, we’re stuck with it. Noun our system, we’re stuck with it. Noun phrases come with case. phrases come with case. ComputersComputers has has case (nominative) and case (nominative) and meme has case has case (accusative).(accusative).

The question is:The question is: How is the case of How is the case of meme checked?checked?

Computers break near meComputers break near me Computers breakComputers break is unaccusative; is unaccusative; there’s no agent, and there’s no agent, and computerscomputers is is the Theme/Patient, it is the the Theme/Patient, it is the affected object.affected object.

Thus, we have in our numeration:Thus, we have in our numeration: breakbreak [V, [V, uuN*N*]] vvunaccusativeunaccusative [ [vv, , uuInfl:Infl:, , uuV*V*]] computerscomputers [N, [N, :3pl, :3pl, casecase]] TT [T, [T, uu:, pres, :, pres, uuN*N*]]

As well as As well as nearnear and and meme, which we’ll , which we’ll get to in a moment.get to in a moment.

Computers breakComputers break First, let’s just do First, let’s just do computers computers breakbreak..

We start by merging We start by merging breakbreak and and computerscomputers..

NPcomputers[N, :3pl, case]

VP

Vbreak

[V, uN*]

Computers breakComputers break vv [ [vv, , uuInfl:Infl:, , uuV*V*]] We Merge We Merge vv with VP (HoP). with VP (HoP).


VP

Vbreak

[V, uN*]

vvPP

v[v, uV*uInfl:]

Computers breakComputers break The V moves up to adjoin to The V moves up to adjoin to vv to to check the [check the [uuV*V*] feature of ] feature of vv..


VP

<V>

vvPP

v

v[v, uV*,uInfl:]

Vbreak

[V, uN*]

Computers breakComputers break The The TT is Merged with is Merged with vvP (HoP).P (HoP). TT has the features: has the features: [T, pres, u:, uN*, nom].

The [nom] feature of T can now match the [case] feature of computers.


VP

<V>

vvPP

v

v[v, uV*,uInfl:]

Vbreak

[V, uN*]

TT

T[T, tense:pres, u:, uN*, nom]

Computers breakComputers break The [nom] feature of T matches, values, and checks the [case] feature of computers, checking itself in the process.

The [u:] feature of T can also match the [:3pl] feature of computers.

NPcomputers[N, :3pl, nom]

VP

<V>

vvPP

v

v[v, uV*,uInfl:]

Vbreak

[V, uN*]

TT

T[T, tense:pres, u:, uN*, nom]

Computers breakComputers break The [:3pl] feature of computers matches, values, and checks the [u:] feature of T.

The [tense:pres] feature of T matches the [uInfl:] feature of v, which will be valued by both the tense and -features of T. It’s [tense:pres] that matches the [uInfl:] feature, but the -features “come along” when the [uInfl:] feature is valued.


VP

<V>

vvPP

v

v[v, uV*,uInfl:]

Vbreak

[V, uN*]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:3pl, uN*, nom]

Computers breakComputers break The [uN*] feature of T matches the [N] feature of computers. This is not sufficient to check the [uN*] feature because they are not local, so computers is moved up to SpecTP.


VP

<V>

vvPP

v

v[v, uV*,uInfl:pres3pl]

Vbreak

[V, uN*]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:3pl, uN*, nom]

Computers breakComputers break Once the [N] feature of computers is a sister to the T that has the [uN*] feature (the feature projects from T to T—it’s the same feature), the [uN*] feature is checked.

<NP>

VP

<V>

vvPP

v


Vbreak

[V, uN*]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:3pl, uN*, nom]

NPcomputers

[N, :3pl, nom]

TPTP

Computers break near meComputers break near me Now, let’s consider Computers break near me. Me is clearly accusative. There’s nothing here that can value a case feature as accusative. All we’re adding to this is me (which has accusative case) and the P near.

<NP>

VP

<V>

vvPP

v


Vbreak

[V, uN*]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:3pl, uN*, nom]

NPcomputers

[N, :3pl, nom]

TPTP

Computers break near meComputers break near me Conclusion: It must be near that is responsible for the accusative case on me.

<NP>

VP

<V>

vvPP

v


Vbreak

[V, uN*]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:3pl, uN*, nom]

NPcomputers

[N, :3pl, nom]

TPTP Pnear

[P, uN*, acc]

NPpronoun[N, :1sg, case]

Computers break near meComputers break near me Merge near and me (1sg pronoun). The [N] feature of me checks the [uN*] feature of near. The [acc] feature of near values and checks the [case] feature of me (checking itself in the process).

<NP>

VP

<V>

vvPP

v


Vbreak

[V, uN*]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:3pl, uN*, nom]

NPcomputers

[N, :3pl, nom]

TPTP Pnear

[P, uN*, acc]

NPpronoun[N, :1sg, acc]

PP

Near me computers breakNear me computers break The last step: Adjoin the PP to the TP.

To the TP? Near me can appear on either side of TP, not vP.

Computers near me break

<NP>

VP

<V>

vvPP

v


Vbreak

[V, uN*]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:3pl, uN*, nom]

NPcomputers

[N, :3pl, nom]

TPTP Pnear

[P, uN*, acc]

NPpronoun[N, :1sg, acc]

PP

TPTP

P checks accusativeP checks accusative

So, So, in generalin general: A preposition : A preposition PP…… Has a [P] category featureHas a [P] category feature Has a [Has a [uuN*N*] feature, motivating a Merge with ] feature, motivating a Merge with its object.its object.

Has an [Has an [accacc] feature, valuing and checking ] feature, valuing and checking the [the [casecase] feature of its object.] feature of its object.

TT has [T], [ has [T], [uuN*N*] (EPP), [] (EPP), [uu::], [], [nomnom]]

vv has [ has [vv], [], [uuInfl:Infl:], [], [uuV*V*], and, if ], and, if vv assigns a assigns a -role, it has [-role, it has [uuN*N*] and [] and [accacc].].

Double-object Double-object constructionsconstructions

We’ve by now covered the sentenceWe’ve by now covered the sentence Pat gave books to Chris.Pat gave books to Chris.

PatPat, , booksbooks, and , and ChrisChris are all noun are all noun phrases, they all need case.phrases, they all need case. PatPat gets (nom) case from T.gets (nom) case from T. booksbooks gets (acc) case from gets (acc) case from vv.. ChrisChris gets (acc) case from P (gets (acc) case from P (toto).).

What about What about Pat gave Chris booksPat gave Chris books?? The “have” kind of “give” must have an [acc] The “have” kind of “give” must have an [acc] feature.feature.

AdverbsAdverbs Before today, we’d always drawn adjuncts Before today, we’d always drawn adjuncts as adjoined to as adjoined to vvP. This explains why P. This explains why sloppilysloppily can be either to the left or to can be either to the left or to the right of the right of vvP:P: Pat sloppily ate lunch.Pat sloppily ate lunch. Pat ate lunch sloppily.Pat ate lunch sloppily. Pat has sloppily eaten lunch.Pat has sloppily eaten lunch. Pat has eaten lunch sloppily.Pat has eaten lunch sloppily.

SloppilySloppily also seems to be able to adjoin also seems to be able to adjoin to PerfP or ProgP, at least marginally.to PerfP or ProgP, at least marginally. ?Pat might sloppily have eaten lunch.?Pat might sloppily have eaten lunch. ?Pat should sloppily be eating lunch.?Pat should sloppily be eating lunch.

But it can’t be between a subject and T:But it can’t be between a subject and T: *Pat sloppily might eat lunch.*Pat sloppily might eat lunch.

Manner vs. Manner vs. propositional adverbspropositional adverbs

SloppilySloppily, , slowlyslowly, , quicklyquickly—— all all describe the describe the manner manner in which an in which an action takes place. These are action takes place. These are manner manner adverbsadverbs. They adjoin to . They adjoin to vvP.P.

There are other kinds of adverbs as There are other kinds of adverbs as well, however. One such kind are well, however. One such kind are propositional adverbspropositional adverbs: : perhapsperhaps, , fortunatelyfortunately, , interestinglyinterestingly. These . These express a kind of attitude on the express a kind of attitude on the part of the speaker toward the part of the speaker toward the content of the sentence.content of the sentence.

Propositional & Propositional & temporal adverbstemporal adverbs

Propositional adverbsPropositional adverbs seem to adjoin to seem to adjoin to TP.TP. Fortunately, Pat ate lunch.Fortunately, Pat ate lunch. Pat ate lunch, fortunately.Pat ate lunch, fortunately. ?Pat fortunately ate lunch.?Pat fortunately ate lunch. ?Pat might have fortunately eaten lunch.?Pat might have fortunately eaten lunch.

Temporal adverbs Temporal adverbs also seem to adjoin also seem to adjoin high.high. Today Pat ate lunch.Today Pat ate lunch. Pat ate lunch today.Pat ate lunch today. *Pat today ate lunch.*Pat today ate lunch.

Adverb positionsAdverb positions Generally speaking, where an adverb Generally speaking, where an adverb attaches depends on its meaning.attaches depends on its meaning. vvPP for manner adverbs, for manner adverbs, TPTP for temporal for temporal adverbs, …adverbs, …

Notice that we predict this now:Notice that we predict this now: Yesterday Yesterday [[Pat completely Pat completely [[finished lunchfinished lunch]]]].. Yesterday Yesterday [[Pat Pat [[finished lunchfinished lunch]] completely completely]].. Pat Pat [[[[finished lunchfinished lunch]] completely completely]] yesterday. yesterday. Pat Pat [[completely completely [[finished lunchfinished lunch]]]] yesterday. yesterday.

*Pat *Pat [[[[finished lunchfinished lunch]] yesterday completely. yesterday completely.

Later, perhaps, we’ll consider Later, perhaps, we’ll consider additional complexity in adverb additional complexity in adverb placement.placement.

PassivesPassives

The The passive constructionpassive construction is one where: is one where: The original subject disappearsThe original subject disappears(or becomes a (or becomes a byby-phrase)-phrase)

The original object becomes the subject.The original object becomes the subject. The verb appears as The verb appears as bebe+passive participle.+passive participle.

The passive participle in English sounds just like The passive participle in English sounds just like the perfective participle.the perfective participle.

Pat took pretzels.Pat took pretzels. activeactive

Pretzels were taken (by Pat).Pretzels were taken (by Pat).passivepassive

PassivesPassives Pat stole books.Pat stole books. Books were stolen (by Pat).Books were stolen (by Pat).

In both cases, In both cases, booksbooks is getting the is getting the Theme/Patient Theme/Patient -role. By UTAH, it -role. By UTAH, it must be originally Merged as NP must be originally Merged as NP daughter of VP, in both the active daughter of VP, in both the active and the passive.and the passive.

In fact, the passive is a lot like In fact, the passive is a lot like the unaccusative. An “underlying the unaccusative. An “underlying object” becomes the subject.object” becomes the subject.

PassivesPassives We don’t need anything really new for the We don’t need anything really new for the passive, just the passive auxiliary Pass.passive, just the passive auxiliary Pass. bebe [Pass, [Pass, uuInfl:] selects a Infl:] selects a vvunaccusativeunaccusative..

By selecting for By selecting for vvunaccusativeunaccusative, the passive , the passive auxiliary “removes” an Agent.auxiliary “removes” an Agent. Not allowed for intransitives, an open mystery.Not allowed for intransitives, an open mystery.

*It danced (by Pat)*It danced (by Pat) The passive auxiliary works like other The passive auxiliary works like other auxiliaries: Pass can value a lower [auxiliaries: Pass can value a lower [uuInfl:] Infl:] feature, if Pass’ own [feature, if Pass’ own [uuInfl:] feature is valued Infl:] feature is valued by a [tense] feature, it is strong.by a [tense] feature, it is strong.

Lunch was not eaten.Lunch was not eaten. Pass is the last auxiliary in the HoP:Pass is the last auxiliary in the HoP:

Lunch may not have been being eaten.Lunch may not have been being eaten. T > (Neg) > (M) > (Perf) > (Prog) > (Pass) > T > (Neg) > (M) > (Perf) > (Prog) > (Pass) > vv > > VV

Lunch was eatenLunch was eaten For For Lunch was eatenLunch was eaten, we Merge , we Merge eateat and and lunchlunch to build the VP, then to build the VP, then Merge an unaccusative Merge an unaccusative vv……

NPlunch[N, :3sg, case]

VP

vvPP

v[v, uV*,uInfl:] V

eat[V, uN*]

Lunch was eatenLunch was eaten The V moves up to adjoin to The V moves up to adjoin to vv to to check the [check the [uuV*V*] feature of ] feature of vv..

The Pass auxiliary is Merged (HoP).The Pass auxiliary is Merged (HoP). [Pass] matches, values, checks [Pass] matches, values, checks [[uuInfl:Infl:] on ] on vv..

VP

<V>

vvPP

v

Veat

[V, uN*]

PassPPassP

Passbe

[Pass, uInfl:]

v[v, uV*,uInfl:]


Lunch was eatenLunch was eaten T is Merged (HoP).T is Merged (HoP).

[[nomnom] on T matches, values, checks [] on T matches, values, checks [casecase] on ] on lunchlunch.. [[:3sg] on lunch matches, values, checks [[uu:] on T. [past] on T matches, values [uInfl:] on Pass.

VP

<V>

vvPP

v

Veat

[V, uN*]

PassPPassP

Passbe

[Pass, uInfl:]

v[v, uV*, uInfl:pass]


TT

T[T, tense:past, u:, uN*, nom]

Lunch was eatenLunch was eaten Pass moves to T (checks Pass moves to T (checks [[uuInflInfl:past*] on Pass).:past*] on Pass).

VP

<V>

vvPP

v

Veat

[V, uN*]

PassPPassP

<Pass>


NPlunch[N, :3sg, nom]

TT

T

Passbe

[Pass,uInfl:past*]

T[T, tense:past,u:3sg, uN*,nom]

Lunch was eatenLunch was eaten LunchLunch moves to SpecTP (checks [moves to SpecTP (checks [uuN*N*] ] on T).on T).

VP

<V>

vvPP

v

Veat

[V, uN*]

PassPPassP

<Pass>


<NP>

TT

T

Passbe

[Pass,uInfl:past*]

T[T, tense:past,u:3sg, uN*,nom]

NPlunch

[N, :3sg, nom]

TP

Ditransitive passivesDitransitive passives

Consider again Consider again Pat gave Chris Pat gave Chris booksbooks.. Chris was given books.Chris was given books. *Books were given Chris.*Books were given Chris.

(Exercise 6.6): (Exercise 6.6): Pat gave books Pat gave books to Christo Chris.. Books were given to Chris.Books were given to Chris. *Chris was given books to.*Chris was given books to.

Where does the Where does the by-by-phrase attach?phrase attach?

Adverb tests can give us a hint…Adverb tests can give us a hint… The sandwich was eaten The sandwich was eaten by Patby Pat todaytoday at noon at noon The sandwich was eaten The sandwich was eaten by Patby Pat at noon at noon todaytoday The sandwich was eaten The sandwich was eaten todaytoday _ _ by Patby Pat _ at noon _ at noon The sandwich was eaten at noon _ The sandwich was eaten at noon _ by Patby Pat _ _ todaytoday

The dishes were washed The dishes were washed by Patby Pat _ poorly _ _ poorly _ yesterdayyesterday

The dishes were washed poorly The dishes were washed poorly by Patby Pat yesterdayyesterday The sandwich was eaten The sandwich was eaten by Patby Pat _ sloppily _ _ sloppily _ at at noonnoon

The sandwich was eaten sloppily The sandwich was eaten sloppily by Patby Pat at noonat noon

Conclusion?Conclusion?

Japanese Numeral Japanese Numeral QuantifiersQuantifiers Gakusei ga hon o 4-satu kattaGakusei ga hon o 4-satu katta

students nom book acc 4-cl boughtstudents nom book acc 4-cl bought‘The students bought four books.’‘The students bought four books.’

?*Gakusei ga hon o 4-nin katta?*Gakusei ga hon o 4-nin katta students nom book acc 4-cl bought students nom book acc 4-cl bought

Gakusei ga 4-nin hon o kattaGakusei ga 4-nin hon o kattastudents nom 4-cl book acc boughtstudents nom 4-cl book acc bought‘Four students bought books.’‘Four students bought books.’

Gakusei ga kyoo 3-nin kitaGakusei ga kyoo 3-nin kitastudents nom today 3-cl camestudents nom today 3-cl came‘Three students came today.’‘Three students came today.’

Hon o Taroo ga 2-satu kattaHon o Taroo ga 2-satu kattabooks acc T nom 2-cl boughtbooks acc T nom 2-cl bought‘Books, Taroo bought two.’‘Books, Taroo bought two.’

Yuube, kuruma ga doroboo ni 2-dai nusum-are-taYuube, kuruma ga doroboo ni 2-dai nusum-are-talast night cars nom thief by 2-cl steal-last night cars nom thief by 2-cl steal-pass-pastpass-past‘Last night, two cars were stolen by a thief.’‘Last night, two cars were stolen by a thief.’(Miyagawa 1989)(Miyagawa 1989)

Italian Italian nene--cliticizationcliticization

Maria ha visto Gianni. Maria lo ha visto.Maria ha visto Gianni. Maria lo ha visto.M has seen G. M him has seen.M has seen G. M him has seen.

Gianni trascorrerGianni trascorrerà tre settimane a Milano.à tre settimane a Milano.G spend.fut3sg 3 weeks in MG spend.fut3sg 3 weeks in M

Gianni ne trascorrerà tre (*ne) a Milano.Gianni ne trascorrerà tre (*ne) a Milano.G of-them spend.fut3sg 3 in M.G of-them spend.fut3sg 3 in M.

Alcuni {persone/*ne} trascorreranno tre settimane Alcuni {persone/*ne} trascorreranno tre settimane a Milanoa Milanosome people/of-them spend.fut3pl 3 weeks some people/of-them spend.fut3pl 3 weeks in M. in M.

Telefoneranno tre persone domaniTelefoneranno tre persone domani *Ne telefoneranno tre domani*Ne telefoneranno tre domani Ne arriveranno tre domaniNe arriveranno tre domani Ne furono arrestati molti.Ne furono arrestati molti.

CAS LX 522 Syntax I

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