Janke, Vikki and Neeleman, A. (2012) Ascending and Descending VPs in English. Linguistic Inquiry, 43 (2). pp. 151-190. ISSN 0024-3892.
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| Official URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1162/LING_a_00082 |
Abstract
We argue that English allows both rightward-descending VP shell structures and more traditional rightward-ascending VPs. The choice between these depends on case theory and economy. Case theory triggers VP shell formation whenever the verb is merged with a DP object after it has been merged with some other category. The reason is that VP shell formation allows verb and object to surface in adjacent positions, a prerequisite for case licensing in English. Economy has the effect that in all other circumstances, VP shell formation is blocked. Our argument is based on a range of intricate data, many of which involve the distribution of object-oriented floating quantifiers. We end with a discussion of the binding data that are often taken to support a uniformly descending structure—incorrectly, in our view.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics |
| Divisions: | Faculties > Humanities > School of European Culture and Languages > English Language and Linguistics |
| Depositing User: | Fiona Godfrey |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Aug 2012 14:09 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Aug 2012 11:54 |
| Resource URI: | http://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/30120 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes) |
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