The syntax of complex tenses

Abstract

This paper presents some new arguments in favour of the biclausal analysis of the so-called periphrastic tenses. It is argued that in these constructions, the main verbs as well as the auxiliaries are marked for tense. It is also claimed that every clause contains two temporal heads: a higher T(Past) and a lower T(Future). The biclausality of periphrastic tenses is then a consequence of the way in which tense is represented in syntax: with only two temporal heads per clause, many complex tenses have to be formed by means of embedding. The analysis thus involves a revision of the tense systems set up by Reichenbach (1947) and Vikner (1985), and also of the proposal concerning the universal inventory of temporal heads put forth by Cinque (1999).