Control of inflected infinitives in European Portuguese
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Michelle Sheehan
Abstract
This chapter considers the distribution of inflected infinitives in European Portuguese (EP), with a particular emphasis on (exhaustive and partial) obligatory control (OC) contexts. It is shown, by means of large-scale survey data, that all EP speakers accept both inflected and uninflected infinitives in OC contexts but with substantial micro-parametric variation. An analysis is proposed whereby there are two distinct kinds of OC in EP, one derived via movement (Hornstein, 1999) and one resulting from Agree plus failed movement. Points of micro-parametric variation concern: the kind of non-finite clause selected for by various matrix predicates, patterns of obviation, and the precise way in which the thematic feature [D: ] is valued.
Abstract
This chapter considers the distribution of inflected infinitives in European Portuguese (EP), with a particular emphasis on (exhaustive and partial) obligatory control (OC) contexts. It is shown, by means of large-scale survey data, that all EP speakers accept both inflected and uninflected infinitives in OC contexts but with substantial micro-parametric variation. An analysis is proposed whereby there are two distinct kinds of OC in EP, one derived via movement (Hornstein, 1999) and one resulting from Agree plus failed movement. Points of micro-parametric variation concern: the kind of non-finite clause selected for by various matrix predicates, patterns of obviation, and the precise way in which the thematic feature [D: ] is valued.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Complement clauses in Portuguese 1
-
Syntax papers
- Control of inflected infinitives in European Portuguese 29
- Inflected infinitives in Brazilian Portuguese and the theory of Control 59
- Infinitival complements of causative/perception verbs in a diachronic perspective 101
- Controlled overt pronouns as specificational predicates 129
- (Hyper)-raising in Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish 187
- Subjunctive and subject obviation in Portuguese 213
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Commentary paper
- Comments on complementation in Portuguese 243
-
Acquisition papers
- The acquisition of control in European Portuguese 263
- The acquisition of infinitival complements to causative verbs in Mozambican Portuguese 295
- Inflected infinitives in L2 Portuguese 321
- How Portuguese children interpret subject pronouns in complement clauses 361
-
Commentary paper
- Comments on the acquisition of complementation in Portuguese 395
- Index 415
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Complement clauses in Portuguese 1
-
Syntax papers
- Control of inflected infinitives in European Portuguese 29
- Inflected infinitives in Brazilian Portuguese and the theory of Control 59
- Infinitival complements of causative/perception verbs in a diachronic perspective 101
- Controlled overt pronouns as specificational predicates 129
- (Hyper)-raising in Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish 187
- Subjunctive and subject obviation in Portuguese 213
-
Commentary paper
- Comments on complementation in Portuguese 243
-
Acquisition papers
- The acquisition of control in European Portuguese 263
- The acquisition of infinitival complements to causative verbs in Mozambican Portuguese 295
- Inflected infinitives in L2 Portuguese 321
- How Portuguese children interpret subject pronouns in complement clauses 361
-
Commentary paper
- Comments on the acquisition of complementation in Portuguese 395
- Index 415
