The argument structure of evaluative adjectives
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Laura Kertz
Abstract
Evaluative adjectives permit an alternation between two control structures: a canonical subject control structure, where a matrix subject serves as the controller for an unexpressed subject argument in an embedded infinitival clause, and a sentential subject structure, where the controller surfaces as a genitive-marked argument of the adjective. These structures both instantiate an obligatory control interpretation, despite the non-local control configuration of the latter. A syntactic analysis demonstrates that the subject control structure projects control into an adjunct clause, and the source of the alternation, as well as various apparent raising-like behaviors, is attributed to the relatively simple argument structure of evaluative adjectives as compared to other more complex adjectives and their related forms.
Abstract
Evaluative adjectives permit an alternation between two control structures: a canonical subject control structure, where a matrix subject serves as the controller for an unexpressed subject argument in an embedded infinitival clause, and a sentential subject structure, where the controller surfaces as a genitive-marked argument of the adjective. These structures both instantiate an obligatory control interpretation, despite the non-local control configuration of the latter. A syntactic analysis demonstrates that the subject control structure projects control into an adjunct clause, and the source of the alternation, as well as various apparent raising-like behaviors, is attributed to the relatively simple argument structure of evaluative adjectives as compared to other more complex adjectives and their related forms.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Abbreviations vii
- Control as movement 1
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Part I. Expanding the movement analysis of control
- Movement Theory of Control and CP-infinitives in Polish 45
- Obligatory control and local reflexives 67
- No objections to Backward Control 89
- Possessor raising through thematic positions 119
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Part II. Unexplored control phenomena
- Clitic climbing in archaic Chinese 149
- Framing the syntax of control in Japanese (and English) 183
- Split control and the Principle of Minimal Distance 211
- Towards a typology of control in DP 245
-
Part III. Beyond control
- The argument structure of evaluative adjectives 269
- Object control in Korean 299
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Abbreviations vii
- Control as movement 1
-
Part I. Expanding the movement analysis of control
- Movement Theory of Control and CP-infinitives in Polish 45
- Obligatory control and local reflexives 67
- No objections to Backward Control 89
- Possessor raising through thematic positions 119
-
Part II. Unexplored control phenomena
- Clitic climbing in archaic Chinese 149
- Framing the syntax of control in Japanese (and English) 183
- Split control and the Principle of Minimal Distance 211
- Towards a typology of control in DP 245
-
Part III. Beyond control
- The argument structure of evaluative adjectives 269
- Object control in Korean 299
