Lexical restrictions on grammatical relations
16
Lexical restrictions on grammatical relations Often treated as semi-arbitrary I’m here to tell you that, at least at the level of verb argument structure they’re often (though probably not always) semantically motivated. The semantics of the verb must fit with the semantics of the construction (e.g., Pinker, 1989; Goldberg, 1995).
Transcript of Lexical restrictions on grammatical relations
Lexical restrictions on grammatical relations
Often treated as semi-arbitrary
I’m here to tell you that, at least at the level of verb argument structure they’re often (though probably not always) semantically motivated.
The semantics of the verb must fit with the semantics of the construction (e.g., Pinker, 1989; Goldberg, 1995).
Method1. Native-speaking adults rate verbs/events for semantic propertie claimed to capture the semantics of the construction (sometimes condensed using PCA).2. Those ratings used to predict (other) native-speaking adults’ & kids’ acceptability judgments when the verb is used in the construction
semantic properties
ShowRead
OweKick
Tell
FeedHit
Telephone
Bring
TakeToss
Offer
Promise
AwardTeachEmailThrow
Sell
SendPass
Post
Give
Drag
HeavePull
Mumble
ScreamState
YellShout
Haul
Push
Whisper
HoistMentionLower
Carry
DropRaiseLift
Say
Supply
Present
Entrust
ShowRead
Owe
Kick
TellFeed
Hit
TelephoneBringTake
TossOfferPromiseAwardTeach
EmailThrow
SellSend
PassPost
Give
Drag
HeavePull
Mumble
ScreamState
YellShout
Haul
Push
Whisper
Hoist
Mention
Lower
CarryDropRaise
Lift
Say
Supply
Present
Entrust
ShowReadOwe
Kick
TellFeed
HitTelephone
BringTake
TossOfferPromiseAwardTeach
ThrowSellSendPass
PostGive
Drag
Heave
Pull
Mumble
ScreamState
YellShoutHaul
PushWhisper
Hoist
Mention
LowerCarryDropRaiseLift
Say
SupplyPresent
Entrust
ShowReadOweKick
Tell
Feed
Hit
Telephone
Bring
TakeToss
Offer
Promise
AwardTeachEmailThrow
SellSendPass
PostGive
Drag
Heave
PullMumbleScream
StateYell
Shout
Haul
PushWhisper
Hoist
MentionLower
Carry
DropRaise
Lift
Say
Supply
Present
Entrust
ShowRead
Owe
Kick
TellFeed
HitTelephone
BringTakeToss
Offer
PromiseAwardTeach
EmailThrow
SellSendPassPost Give
DragHeavePull
Mumble
ScreamStateYellShoutHaul
PushWhisper
HoistMentionLowerCarry
DropRaiseLift
Say
Supply
Present
Entrust
ShowRead
Owe
KickTell
FeedHit
Telephone
BringTakeTossOfferPromise
AwardTeachEmailThrowSellSendPassPost Give
DragHeave
Pull
MumbleScream
StateYellShout
Haul
Push
Whisper
HoistMentionLower
Carry
Drop
RaiseLift
SaySupplyPresent
Entrust
DO
5−6yrs
DO
9−10yrs
DO
Adults
PO
5−6yrs
PO
9−10yrs
PO
Adults
2
4
6
2
4
6
−1 0 1 2 3 −1 0 1 2 3 −1 0 1 2 3Semantics: BROAD DO 1
Ratin
g (ra
w) Verbtypeaa
Alternates
PO−only
Datives: Caused possession
Brush
Cram
Crowd
Dab Heap Jam
Load Pack
Pile Rub Scatter
Smudge Splash Splatter
Spray Spread Sprinkle Squirt
Stack Stock
Attach
Coil Dribble Drip Drizzle Dump
Fasten
GlueNailPaste
PinPour
Spew Spill Staple
Stick Tape Twirl Vomit
Whirl Bandage Bind
Block Clog Clutter
Coat Cover Dirty Drench
Entangle
Fill
Flood Infect Litter Ripple
Saturate Soak
Splotch
Stain
Brush Cram Crowd Dab
Heap
Jam Load Pack Pile Rub
Scatter Smudge
Splash Splatter
Spray Spread Sprinkle Squirt
Stack Stock
Attach
Coil Dribble Drip Drizzle Dump
Fasten
Glue
NailPastePinPour
Spew
Spill
Staple
Stick Tape Twirl Vomit Whirl
Bandage
Bind
Block
Clog Clutter
Coat Cover
Dirty Drench
Entangle Fill
Flood Infect
Litter
Ripple Saturate Soak
Splotch
Stain
Brush Cram
Crowd
Dab
Heap
Jam Load Pack Pile
Rub
Scatter
Smudge Splash Splatter Spray Spread Sprinkle Squirt Stack
Stock
AttachCoil Dribble Drip
Drizzle Dump Fasten
GlueNail
Paste
PinPour
Spew
Spill StapleStick Tape
Twirl Vomit Whirl
Bandage Bind
Block Clog Clutter Coat
Cover Dirty
Drench Entangle Fill Flood
Infect
Litter Ripple
Saturate
Soak
Splotch Stain
Brush Cram Crowd
Dab Heap
Jam Load Pack
Pile
Rub
Scatter Smudge
Splash
Splatter Spray Spread Sprinkle Squirt
Stack Stock
AttachCoil
Dribble Drip
Drizzle
Dump Fasten
Glue
NailPaste
PinPour
Spew Spill StapleStick
Tape
Twirl
Vomit
Whirl Bandage Bind Block
Clog Clutter
Coat Cover
Dirty Drench Entangle Fill
Flood Infect
Litter Ripple Saturate
Soak Splotch
Stain Brush Cram Crowd Dab
Heap Jam
Load Pack
Pile
Rub
Scatter
Smudge Splash
Splatter
Spray
Spread
Sprinkle
Squirt
Stack Stock
Attach
Coil
Dribble Drip
Drizzle
Dump
Fasten
GlueNail
PastePinPour
Spew
Spill
StapleStick
Tape Twirl
Vomit
Whirl
Bandage
Bind
Block Clog
Clutter
Coat Cover Dirty
Drench Entangle
Fill Flood Infect
Litter Ripple
Saturate Soak
Splotch Stain
Brush Cram
Crowd
Dab
Heap
Jam
Load
Pack
Pile
Rub
Scatter Smudge
Splash
Splatter
Spray
Spread
Sprinkle Squirt Stack Stock
Attach
Coil
Dribble Drip
Drizzle
Dump
Fasten
Glue
Nail
PastePin
Pour Spew
Spill
Staple
Stick Tape Twirl
Vomit
Whirl
Bandage
Bind
Block Clog Clutter Coat Cover
Dirty Drench Entangle
Fill Flood Infect Litter
Ripple
Saturate
Soak
Splotch
Stain
Figure
Age5
Figure
Age9
Figure
AgeAdult
Ground
Age5
Ground
Age9
Ground
AgeAdult
2
4
6
2
4
6
−2 0 2 −2 0 2 −2 0 2Semantic predictor: Manner (Z score)
Ratin
g (ra
w) VerbTypeaaa
AlternatesFigure−OnlyGround−Only
Locatives: Manner
Brush
Cram
Crowd
Dab Heap Jam
Load Pack
Pile Rub Scatter Smudge Splash
Splatter
Spray Spread Sprinkle
Squirt Stack
Stock
Attach
Coil Dribble Drip Drizzle Dump
Fasten
GlueNailPaste
PinPour
Spew Spill Staple
Stick TapeTwirl Vomit
Whirl Bandage Bind
Block Clog Clutter
Coat Cover Dirty Drench
Entangle
Fill
Flood Infect Litter Ripple
Saturate Soak
Splotch
Stain
Brush Cram Crowd Dab
Heap
Jam Load Pack Pile
Rub Scatter Smudge
Splash Splatter
Spray Spread Sprinkle Squirt
Stack Stock
Attach
Coil Dribble Drip Drizzle Dump
Fasten
Glue
NailPastePinPour
Spew
Spill
Staple
Stick TapeTwirl VomitWhirl
Bandage
Bind
Block
Clog Clutter
Coat Cover
Dirty Drench
Entangle Fill
Flood Infect
Litter
Ripple Saturate Soak
Splotch
Stain
Brush Cram
Crowd
Dab
Heap
Jam Load Pack Pile
Rub
Scatter
Smudge Splash Splatter Spray Spread Sprinkle Squirt Stack
Stock
AttachCoil Dribble Drip
Drizzle Dump Fasten
GlueNail
Paste
PinPour
Spew
Spill StapleStick Tape
Twirl VomitWhirl
Bandage Bind
Block Clog Clutter Coat
Cover Dirty
Drench Entangle Fill Flood
Infect
Litter Ripple
Saturate
Soak
Splotch Stain
Brush Cram Crowd
Dab Heap
Jam Load Pack
Pile
Rub
Scatter Smudge
Splash
Splatter Spray Spread Sprinkle Squirt
Stack Stock
AttachCoil
Dribble Drip
Drizzle
Dump Fasten
Glue
NailPaste
PinPour
Spew Spill StapleStick
Tape
Twirl
Vomit
Whirl Bandage Bind
Block Clog
Clutter Coat
Cover Dirty Drench
Entangle Fill
Flood Infect
Litter Ripple Saturate
Soak Splotch
Stain Brush Cram Crowd Dab
Heap Jam
Load Pack
Pile
Rub
Scatter
Smudge Splash
Splatter
Spray
Spread
Sprinkle
Squirt
Stack Stock
Attach
Coil
Dribble Drip
Drizzle
Dump
Fasten
GlueNail
PastePinPour
Spew
Spill
StapleStick
TapeTwirl
Vomit
Whirl
Bandage
Bind
Block Clog
Clutter
Coat Cover Dirty
Drench Entangle
Fill Flood Infect
Litter Ripple
Saturate Soak
Splotch Stain
Brush Cram
Crowd
Dab
Heap
Jam
Load
Pack
Pile
Rub
Scatter Smudge
Splash
Splatter
Spray
Spread
Sprinkle Squirt Stack Stock
Attach
Coil
Dribble Drip
Drizzle
Dump
Fasten
Glue
Nail
PastePin
Pour Spew
Spill
Staple
Stick TapeTwirl
Vomit
Whirl
Bandage
Bind
Block Clog Clutter Coat Cover
Dirty Drench Entangle
Fill Flood Infect Litter
Ripple
Saturate
Soak
Splotch
Stain
Figure
Age5
Figure
Age9
Figure
AgeAdult
Ground
Age5
Ground
Age9
Ground
AgeAdult
2
4
6
2
4
6
−2 0 2 −2 0 2 −2 0 2Semantic predictor: End state (Z score)
Ratin
g (ra
w) VerbTypeaaa
AlternatesFigure−OnlyGround−Only
Locatives: End-state
DoRoll
Delete
Reel
Crumple
MaskVeilHook
TieSnap
ZipButtonLace
Leash
Cork
BandageFasten
Pack
Lock
Screw
Latch
BuckleWrap
Chain
Come
Go
Stand
Allow
EmbarrassAskGive
Believe
Sit
Bend
PutRelease
Straighten
OpenLiftPressRemove
FreezePullCloseLoosenFill
SqueezeTightenDoRoll
Delete
Reel
CrumpleMaskVeil
Hook
TieSnapZip
Button
Lace
Leash
Cork
Bandage
FastenPackLock
Screw
LatchBuckleWrapChain
ComeGoStand
Allow
Embarrass
AskGive
Believe
Sit
Bend
Put
ReleaseStraighten
Open
Lift
Press
Remove
Freeze
Pull
CloseLoosenFillSqueeze
TightenDo
Roll
Delete
Reel
Crumple
Mask
Veil
Hook
Tie
Snap
ZipButton
LaceLeash
CorkBandage
Fasten
PackLock
Screw
Latch
BuckleWrap
Chain
ComeGoStand
AllowEmbarrass
Ask
GiveBelieve
Sit
Bend
Put
ReleaseStraightenOpen
Lift
PressRemoveFreeze
Pull
Close
Loosen
Fill
Squeeze
Tighten
Age5 Age9 AgeAdult
1
2
3
4
5
−3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3−3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3−3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3Semantics (Z score)
Ratin
g 1−
5
Typeaa
UnZero
un[VERB]: enclosing, surface-attachment, covering, circular motion, hand movements
English passive: affectedness of SUBJ
English passive: affectedness of SUBJ
Indonesian passive: affectedness of SUBJ
remember
remember
remember
know
know
know
disgustdisgustdisgust
understand
understand
understand
recognize
recognize
recognize
watch
watch
watch
look at
look at
look at
amaze
amaze
amaze
seespot
seespot
seespot
dislike
dislike
disliketrust
trust
trust
hear
hear
hear
believe
believe
believe
miss
miss
miss
listen to
listen to
listen to
worry
worry
worry
fear
fear
fear
admire
admire
admire
forget
forget
forget
overhear
overhear
overhear
notice
notice
notice
smell
smell
smell
love
love
love
avoid
avoid
avoid
carry
carry
carry
eat
eat
eat
hate
hate
hate
like
like
like
distract
distract
distractfollow
follow
follow
calm
calm
calm
lead
lead
lead
ignore
ignore
ignorechase
chase
chase
entertain
entertain
entertain
teach
teach
teach
impress
impress
impress
anger
anger
anger
cheer up
cheer up
cheer up
please
please
pleasewash
wash
wash
dress
dress
dress
call
call
call
amuse
amuse
amusetease
tease
tease
help
help
help
hold
hold
hold
startle
startle
startle
shake
shake
shake
hug
hug
hug
pat
pat
pat
drop
drop
drop
surprise
surprise
surprise
disturb
disturb
disturb
pull
pull
pullkiss
kiss
kiss
irritate
irritate
irritateshock
shock
shock
squash
squash
squash
terrify
terrify
terrify
sadden
sadden
saddenupset
upset
upsetbother
bother
botherannoy
annoy
annoy
kick
kick
kickfrighten
frighten
frighten
scare
scare
scarepush
push
push
bite
bite
bite cut
cut
cut
hit
hit
hit
1
2
3
4
5
−2 −1 0 1 2Semantics
Rat
ing
(raw
) Sentenceaaa
Canonical_Passive
NCanonical_Passive
X_Active
Balinese passive: affectedness of SUBJ
impress
impress
impress
impress
impress
scare
scare
scare
scare
scare
trusttrust
trust
trust
trust
miss
missmiss
miss
miss
annoy
annoyannoy
annoyannoy
understandunderstand
understand
understand
understand
disgust
disgust
disgust
disgust
disgust
believebelieve
believe
believe
believe
anger
anger
anger
anger
anger
rememberremember
rememberremember
remember
leadlead
lead
lead
lead
hear
hear
hearhear
hear
know
know
know
know
know
sadden
sadden
sadden
saddensadden
smell
smell
smell
smell
smell
forget
forget
forget
forget
forget
seesee
seesee
see
avoid
avoid
avoidavoid
avoid
like
like
like
likelike
watchwatch
watch
watch
watch
followfollow
follow
follow
follow
love
lovelove
love
lovefearfear
fear
fear
fear
eat
eat
eat
eat
eat
call
call
call
call
call
shake
shake
shake
shake
shake
calmcalm
calm
calm
calm
wash
wash
wash
wash
wash
patpat
pat
pat
pat
help
help
helphelp
help
distract
distract
distractdistract
distract
chasechase
chase
chase
chase
cut
cut
cut
cut
cut
carrycarry
carry
carry
carry
holdhold
hold
hold
hold
hughug
hughug
hug
surprise
surprisesurprise
surprise
surprise
disturbdisturb
disturbdisturb
disturb
teachteach
teach
teach
teach
dropdrop
drop
drop
drop
squashsquash
squash
squash
squash
push
push
push
push
push
pullpull
pull
pull
pull
kisskiss
kiss
kisskiss
hit
hit
hithit
hit
kick
kick
kick
kick
kick
bitebite
bite
bite
bite
2.5
5.0
7.5
10.0
−1 0 1Semantics
Rat
ing
(raw
)
Sentenceaaaaa
Active
Passive_a
Passive_basic
Passive_ka
Passive_ma
Mandarin passive: affectedness of SUBJ
see
see
see
see
know
know
knowknow
lookat
lookat
lookat
lookat
miss
miss
miss
miss
spot
spot
spot
spot
notice
notice
notice
notice
admire
admire
admire
admire
watch
watch
watch
watch
follow
follow
follow
follow
remember
remember
remember
remember
believe
believe
believe
believe
recognize
recognize
recognize
recognize
chase
chase
chase
chase
like
like
like
like
trust
trust
trust
trust
understand
understand
understand
understand
forget
forget
forget
forget
love
love
love
love
ignore
ignore
ignore
ignore
teach
teach
teach
teach
cheerup
cheerup
cheerup
cheerup
dislike
dislike
dislike
dislike
entertain
entertain
entertain
entertain
calm
calm
calm
calm
lead
lead
lead
lead
please
please
please
please
hate
hate
hate
hatedisgustdisgust
disgust
disgusthold
hold
hold
hold
distract
distract
distract
distract
bother
bother
bother
bother
pull
pull
pull
pull
scare
scare
scare
scare
hug
hug
hug
hug
push
push
push
pushamuseamuse
amuse
amuse
disturb
disturb
disturb
disturb
shock
shock
shock
shock
pat
pat
pat
pat
tease
tease
tease
tease
startle
startle
startle
startleterrify
terrify
terrify
terrifyfrighten
frighten
frighten
frighten
kiss
kiss
kiss
kissangeranger
anger
anger
sadden
sadden
sadden
sadden
carry
carry
carry
carry
irritate
irritate
irritate
irritate
amaze
amaze
amaze
amaze
help
help
help
help
kick
kick
kick
kickeateat
eat
eatbite
bite
bite
bitesquashsquash
squash
squash
dropdrop
drop
drop
cut
cut
cut
cuthit
hit
hit
hit
1
2
3
4
5
−1 0 1 2Semantics
Rat
ing
(raw
) Sentenceaaaa
Active_S_BA_OV
Active_SVO
Passive_Notional_OSV
Passive_O_BEI_SV
English/Hebrew Causatives: Event Merge
Hindi/Japanese Causatives: Event Merge
frown
delight
bake
hop
rise
come
stay
stop
drink
burn
expand
laugh
dissolve
startmeltgrow
sleepmoan
giggleeat
madden
enlarge
diegroan
leak
shrink
freeze
cook
grin
sing
defrost
glitter
chortle
jump
exit
lend
wait
livevanish
amuse
boildisappear
run
cry
shatter ascend
destroydeflate
climb
glowtumble
smile
swim
roll
go
crash
improve
change
appear
tickle
offer
sawwhack
break
kill
alter
frysmash
descend
bounce
fall
rip
bend
inflate
talk
lift
strikehoist
slide
enter
snap
turn
demolish
crack
tap
feed
kickmash
crease
peck
closetear
crushstroke
move
slicehitraise
pay
split
dropcutsquash
give
fold
bring
begin
kiss
take
arrive
bite
lowerchopopen
slash
leave
touch
frown
delight
bake
hop
rise
come stay
stop
drink
burn
expand
laugh
dissolve
start melt
grow
sleepmoan giggle
eat
madden
enlarge
die
groan
leak
shrinkfreeze
cook
grin
sing
defrost
chuckleglitter chortle
jump
exit
lend
wait
live
vanishamuse
boil
disappear
run
cry
shatterascend
destroy
deflate
climb
glow
tumble
smileswim
roll
go
crash
improve
change
appear
tickle
offersaw
whack
break
kill
alter
frysmash
descend
bounce
fall
rip
bend
inflate
talk
lift
strike
hoistslide
enter
snap
turn
demolish
crack
tap
feedkick
mash
crease
peck
close
tearcrushstroke
slice
hit
raisepay
split
nudge
punch
drop
cut
squash
give
fold
bringbegin
kiss
take
arrive
bite
lower
chop
open
slash
leave
touch
frown
delight
bake
hop
rise
come
stay
stop
drink
burn
expand
laugh
dissolvestart
melt
grow
sleep
moan
giggleeat
madden
enlarge
diegroan
leak
shrinkfreeze
cook
grin
sing
defrost
chuckleglitterchortle
jump
exit
lend
wait
live
vanish
amuse
boil
disappear
run
cry
shatter
ascend
destroy
deflate
climb
glow
tumble
smile
swim
roll
go
crash
improve
change
appear
tickle
offer sawbreak
killfry
descend
fall
rip
bend
talk
lift
enter
demolish
crack
crease
peckmove
nudgedrop give
fold
arrive
biteopen
slashleave touch
Adults
9−10 Years
5−6 Years
−2 −1 0 1
−1
0
1
−1
0
1
−1
0
1
0 <−−−Two separate events (INT) −−−− One single event (TRN) −−−> 100
Rat
ing
(raw
)
Transitive judgments as a function of verb semantics
English transitives: Event Merge(similar results for ages 5-6 and 9-10)
Lexical restrictions on grammatical relations
Often treated as semi-arbitrary
At least at the level of verb argument structure they’re often (though probably not always) semantically motivated: The semantics of the verb must fit with the semantics of the construction (e.g., Pinker, 1989; Goldberg, 1995).Can’t usually tell just by eyeballing some examples: Need fine grained semantic measures
Links to studies
• English datives, locatives, un-prefixation: [open access]• English passives: [open access]• Indonesian passives: [OSF]• Mandarin passives: https://osf.io/6p7mw/files/• Crosslinguistic causatives:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2020.104310 and (children-only): [osf]
• Balinese causatives: [OSF]• English (in)transitives: [OSF]
