episode 8a. passives and remaining issues 6.4-6.7 cas lx 522 syntax i

Episode 8a. Passives andEpisode 8a. Passives andremaining issuesremaining issues

6.4-6.76.4-6.7

CAS LX 522CAS LX 522Syntax ISyntax I

Some words from the Some words from the blogblog

Several issues arose in the course of HW6 Several issues arose in the course of HW6 that may are worth highlighting here.that may are worth highlighting here.

One concerns the case of the object of a One concerns the case of the object of a preposition: preposition: Computers break near meComputers break near me..

Now that we’ve incorporated case into our Now that we’ve incorporated case into our system, we’re stuck with it. Noun phrases system, we’re stuck with it. Noun phrases come with case. come with case. ComputersComputers has case has case (nominative) and (nominative) and meme has case (accusative). has case (accusative).

The question is:The question is: How is the case of How is the case of meme checked?checked?

Computers break near Computers break near meme

Computers breakComputers break is unaccusative; there’s is unaccusative; there’s no agent, and no agent, and computerscomputers is the is the Theme/Patient, it is the affected object.Theme/Patient, it is the affected object.

Thus, we have in our numeration:Thus, we have in our numeration: breakbreak [V, [V, uuN*N*]] vvunaccusativeunaccusative [ [vv, , uuInfl:Infl:, , uuV*V*]] computerscomputers [N, [N, :3pl, :3pl, casecase]] TT [T, [T, uu::, pres, , pres, uuN*N*]]

As well as As well as nearnear and and meme, which we’ll get to , which we’ll get to in a moment.in a moment.

Computer breakComputer break First, let’s just do First, let’s just do computers breakcomputers break.. We start by merging We start by merging breakbreak and and

computerscomputers..

NPcomputers[N, :3pl, case]

VP

Vbreak

[V]

Computers breakComputers break vv [ [vv, , uuInfl:Infl:, , uuV*V*]] We Merge We Merge vv with VP (HoP). with VP (HoP).


VP

Vbreak

[V]

vvPP

v[v, uV*uInfl:]

Computers breakComputers break The V moves up to adjoin to The V moves up to adjoin to vv to check to check

the [the [uuV*V*] feature of ] feature of vv..


VP

<V>

vvPP

v

v[v, uV*,uInfl:]

Vbreak

[V]

Computers breakComputers break The The TT is Merged with is Merged with vvP (HoP).P (HoP). TT has the features: has the features: [T, pres, u:, uN*,

nom]. The [nom] feature of T can now match

the [case] feature of computers.


VP

<V>

vvPP

v

v[v, uV*,uInfl:]

Vbreak

[V]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:, uN*, nom]

Computers breakComputers break The [nom] feature of T matches, values,

and checks the [case] feature of computers, checking itself in the process.

The [u:] feature of T can also match the [:pl] feature of computers.

NPcomputers[N, :3pl, nom]

VP

<V>

vvPP

v

v[v, uV*,uInfl:]

Vbreak

[V]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:, uN*, nom]

Computers breakComputers break The [:3pl] feature of computers matches, values,

and checks the [u:] feature of T. The [tense:pres] feature of T matches the [uInfl:]

feature of v, which will be valued by both the tense and -features of T. It’s [tense:pres] that matches the [uInfl:] feature, but the

-features “come along” when the [uInfl:] feature is valued.


VP

<V>

vvPP

v

v[v, uV*,uInfl:]

Vbreak

[V]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:3pl, uN*, nom]

Computers breakComputers break The [uN*] feature of T matches the [N]

feature of computers. This is not sufficient to check the [uN*] feature because they are not local, so computers is moved up to SpecTP.


VP

<V>

vvPP

v

v[v, uV*,uInfl:pres3pl]

Vbreak

[V]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:3pl, uN*, nom]

Computers breakComputers break Once the [N] feature of computers is a sister to

the T that has the [uN*] feature (the feature projects from T to T—it’s the same feature), the [uN*] feature is checked.

<NP>

VP

<V>

vvPP

v


Vbreak

[V]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:3pl, uN*, nom]

NPcomputers

[N, :3pl, nom]

TPTP

Computers break near meComputers break near me Now, let’s consider Computers break near me. Me is clearly accusative. There’s nothing here that

can value a case feature as accusative. All we’re adding to this is me (which has accusative case) and the P near.

<NP>

VP

<V>

vvPP

v


Vbreak

[V]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:3pl, uN*, nom]

NPcomputers

[N, :3pl, nom]

TPTP

Computers break near meComputers break near me Conclusion: It must be near that is responsible

for the accusative case on me.

<NP>

VP

<V>

vvPP

v


Vbreak

[V]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:3pl, uN*, nom]

NPcomputers

[N, :3pl, nom]

TPTP Pnear

[P, uN*, acc]

NPpronoun[N, :1sg, case]

Computers break near meComputers break near me Merge near and me (1sg pronoun). The [N] feature of

me checks the [uN*] feature of near. The [acc] feature of near values and checks the [case] feature of me (checking itself in the process).

<NP>

VP

<V>

vvPP

v


Vbreak

[V]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:3pl, uN*, nom]

NPcomputers

[N, :3pl, nom]

TPTP Pnear

[P, uN*, acc]

NPpronoun[N, :1sg, acc]

PP

Near me computers breakNear me computers break The last step: Adjoin the PP to the TP.

To the TP? Near me can appear on either side of TP, not vP.

<NP>

VP

<V>

vvPP

v


Vbreak

[V]

TT

T[T, tense:pres,

u:3pl, uN*, nom]

NPcomputers

[N, :3pl, nom]

TPTP Pnear

[P, uN*, acc]

NPpronoun[N, :1sg, acc]

PP

TPTP

P checks accusativeP checks accusative

So, So, in generalin general: A preposition : A preposition PP…… Has a [P] category featureHas a [P] category feature Has a [Has a [uuN*N*] feature, motivating a Merge with its ] feature, motivating a Merge with its

object.object. Has an [Has an [accacc] feature, valuing and checking the ] feature, valuing and checking the

[[casecase] feature of its object.] feature of its object.

TT has [T], [ has [T], [uuN*N*] (EPP), [] (EPP), [uu::], [], [nomnom]]

vv has [ has [vv], [], [uuInfl:Infl:], [], [uuV*V*], and, if ], and, if vv assigns a assigns a -role, it -role, it has [has [uuN*N*] and [] and [accacc].].

Feature Feature matching/valuationmatching/valuation

A modal like A modal like mightmight has a category feature has a category feature [T], but we’ll say it also has a [modal] [T], but we’ll say it also has a [modal] feature.feature.

[modal] values a [[modal] values a [uuInfl:Infl:] feature as ] feature as nonenone.. Pat might leave. They might leave.Pat might leave. They might leave.

If there is no [modal] feature, [tense] If there is no [modal] feature, [tense] values a [values a [uuInfl:Infl:] feature with the tense ] feature with the tense features and (valued) features and (valued) -features.-features. Pat leaves. They leave.Pat leaves. They leave.

If a [If a [uuInfl:Infl:] on ] on Aux Aux (Perf and Prog) is (Perf and Prog) is valued by a tense feature, it is valued by a tense feature, it is strongstrong, and , and must be local to the valuing feature:must be local to the valuing feature: Pat has not left.Pat has not left. Pat might not have left.Pat might not have left.

Double-object Double-object constructionsconstructions

We’ve by now covered the sentenceWe’ve by now covered the sentence Pat gave books to Chris.Pat gave books to Chris.

PatPat, , booksbooks, and , and ChrisChris are all noun are all noun phrases, they all need case.phrases, they all need case. PatPat gets (nom) case from T.gets (nom) case from T. booksbooks gets (acc) case from gets (acc) case from vv.. Chris Chris gets (acc) case from P (gets (acc) case from P (toto).).

What about What about Pat gave Chris booksPat gave Chris books??

givegivepossessivepossessive vs. give vs. givelocativelocative

Notice that the two constructions mean Notice that the two constructions mean slightly different things:slightly different things:

Pat gave Chris books.Pat gave Chris books. Pat caused Chris to have books.Pat caused Chris to have books. *Pat sent Chicago letters.*Pat sent Chicago letters. #Pat taught preschoolers Calculus.#Pat taught preschoolers Calculus.

Pat gave books to ChrisPat gave books to Chris Pat caused books (to go/be located) to Chris.Pat caused books (to go/be located) to Chris. Pat sent letters to Chicago.Pat sent letters to Chicago. Pat taught Calculus to preschoolers.Pat taught Calculus to preschoolers.

So far, we’ve been dealing with So far, we’ve been dealing with givegivelocativelocative..

Chris has books Chris has books If If havehave (possessive) is somehow part of (possessive) is somehow part of

the meaning of the meaning of givegivepossessivepossessive (cause+ (cause+havehave), ), let’s think a bit about let’s think a bit about havehave..

In In Chris has booksChris has books, , ChrisChris is not an agent. is not an agent. Suppose instead that Suppose instead that ChrisChris is a is a theme/patient, affected by the possession.theme/patient, affected by the possession.

Since there is no agent, suppose that Since there is no agent, suppose that Chris has booksChris has books has the “unaccusative has the “unaccusative vv”.”. vv [ [vv, , uuV*V*, , uuInfl:Infl:]]

Chris has booksChris has books We now have two NPs, and only one avenue We now have two NPs, and only one avenue

for checking case (for checking case (TT, which will value , which will value Chris Chris as nominative). as nominative). BooksBooks needs (acc) case from needs (acc) case from somewhere. Well, what are the options?somewhere. Well, what are the options?

NPbooks[N, :3pl, case]

V

Vhave

[V, uN*, uN*, …]

VPVP

NPChris

[N, :3sg, case]

vvPP

v[v, uInfl:,

uV*]

Chris has booksChris has books It must be that It must be that booksbooks gets case from gets case from havehave itself. itself. What What -role does -role does booksbooks have? have?

UTAH does not yet cover this case (NP daughter of VUTAH does not yet cover this case (NP daughter of V))

NPbooks[N, :3pl, case]

V

Vhave

[V, uN*, uN*, acc]

VPVP

NPChris

[N, :3sg, case]

vvPP

v[v, uInfl:,

uV*]

Chris has booksChris has books Let’s say that Let’s say that booksbooks has a has a Possessee Possessee -role.-role. So we add to UTAH:So we add to UTAH:

NP daughter of VNP daughter of V: Possessee. : Possessee.

NPbooks[N, :3pl, acc]

V

Vhave

[V, uN*, uN*, acc]

VPVP

NPChris

[N, :3sg, case]

vvPP

v[v, uInfl:,

uV*]

Chris has booksChris has books HaveHave (possessive) is a V that takes two arguments (possessive) is a V that takes two arguments

([([uuN*N*, , uuN*N*]) and checks accusative case ([]) and checks accusative case ([accacc]).]). It’s almost like a “transitive preposition” (PIt’s almost like a “transitive preposition” (PHAVEHAVE).).

Now, suppose we add an Agent.Now, suppose we add an Agent.


V

Vhave

[V, uN*, uN*, acc]

VPVP

NPChris

[N, :3sg, case]

vvPP

v[v, uInfl:,

uV*]

Pat gave Chris booksPat gave Chris books That is, That is, Pat cause Chris to have booksPat cause Chris to have books, more or less., more or less. Now using the Now using the vvagentagent, we have [, we have [uuN*N*,, accacc] features on ] features on

vv as well. The [ as well. The [accacc] feature can value and check the ] feature can value and check the case on case on ChrisChris..


V

Vhave

[V, uN*, uN*, acc]

VPVP

NPChris

[N, :3sg, case]

vv

v[v, uInfl:,

acc, uN*, uV*]

Pat gave Chris booksPat gave Chris books Move V to Move V to vv, Merge in , Merge in PatPat. Assume that . Assume that vvagentagent++have have = =

givegive (possessive), and we have (possessive), and we have Pat gave Chris booksPat gave Chris books.. PatPat will get its [will get its [casecase] feature checked by T (nom), and ] feature checked by T (nom), and vv will will

have its [have its [uuInfl:Infl:] feature valued by T (past3sg).] feature valued by T (past3sg).


V

<V>

VPVP

NPChris

[N,:3sg,

acc]

vv

v

vvPP

NPPat

[N, :3sg, case]

Vgive

[V, uN*,uN*, acc]

v[v, uInfl:, acc, uN*,uV*]

AdverbsAdverbs Before today, we’d always drawn adjuncts as Before today, we’d always drawn adjuncts as

adjoined to adjoined to vvP. This explains why P. This explains why sloppily sloppily can can be either to the left or to the right of be either to the left or to the right of vvP:P: Pat sloppily ate lunch.Pat sloppily ate lunch. Pat ate lunch sloppily.Pat ate lunch sloppily. Pat has sloppily eaten lunch.Pat has sloppily eaten lunch. Pat has eaten lunch sloppily.Pat has eaten lunch sloppily.

QuicklyQuickly also seems to be able to adjoin to PerfP also seems to be able to adjoin to PerfP or ProgP, at least marginally.or ProgP, at least marginally. ?Pat might sloppily have eaten lunch.?Pat might sloppily have eaten lunch. ?Pat should sloppily be eating lunch.?Pat should sloppily be eating lunch.

But it can’t be between a subject and T:But it can’t be between a subject and T: *Pat sloppily might eat lunch.*Pat sloppily might eat lunch.

Manner vs. propositional Manner vs. propositional adverbsadverbs

SloppilySloppily, , slowlyslowly, , quicklyquickly— all describe the — all describe the manner manner in which an action takes place. These in which an action takes place. These are are manner adverbsmanner adverbs. They adjoin to . They adjoin to vvP.P.

There are other kinds of adverbs as well, There are other kinds of adverbs as well, however. One such kind are however. One such kind are propositional propositional adverbsadverbs: : perhapsperhaps, , fortunatelyfortunately, , interestinglyinterestingly. . These express a kind of attitude on the part These express a kind of attitude on the part of the speaker toward the content of the of the speaker toward the content of the sentence.sentence.

Propositional adverbsPropositional adverbs Propositional adverbs seem to adjoin to TP.Propositional adverbs seem to adjoin to TP.

Fortunately, Pat ate lunch.Fortunately, Pat ate lunch. Pat ate lunch, fortunately.Pat ate lunch, fortunately. ?Pat fortunately ate lunch.?Pat fortunately ate lunch. ?Pat might have fortunately eaten lunch.?Pat might have fortunately eaten lunch.

Temporal adverbs Temporal adverbs also seem to adjoin also seem to adjoin high.high. Today Pat ate lunch.Today Pat ate lunch. Pat ate lunch today.Pat ate lunch today. *Pat today ate lunch.*Pat today ate lunch.

Adverb positionsAdverb positions Generally speaking, where an adverb Generally speaking, where an adverb

attaches depends on its meaning.attaches depends on its meaning. vvP for manner adverbs, TP for temporal P for manner adverbs, TP for temporal

adverbs, …adverbs, … Notice that we predict this now:Notice that we predict this now:

Yesterday Pat completely finished lunch.Yesterday Pat completely finished lunch. Pat ate lunch completely yesterday.Pat ate lunch completely yesterday. *Pat ate lunch yesterday completely.*Pat ate lunch yesterday completely.

Later, perhaps, we’ll consider additional Later, perhaps, we’ll consider additional complexity in adverb placement.complexity in adverb placement.

PassivesPassives

The The passive constructionpassive construction is one where: is one where: The original subject disappears (or is moved to The original subject disappears (or is moved to

a a byby-phrase)-phrase) The original object becomes the subject.The original object becomes the subject. The verb appears as The verb appears as bebe+passive participle.+passive participle.

The passive participle in English sounds just like the The passive participle in English sounds just like the perfective participle.perfective participle.

Pat took pretzels.Pat took pretzels. activeactive Pretzels were taken (by Pat).Pretzels were taken (by Pat). passivepassive

PassivesPassives Pat stole books.Pat stole books. Books were stolen (by Pat).Books were stolen (by Pat).

In both cases, In both cases, booksbooks is getting the is getting the Theme/Patient Theme/Patient -role. By UTAH, it -role. By UTAH, it must be originally Merged as NP must be originally Merged as NP daughter of VP, in both the active daughter of VP, in both the active and the passive.and the passive.

In fact, the passive is a lot like the In fact, the passive is a lot like the unaccusative. An “underlying object” unaccusative. An “underlying object” becomes the subject.becomes the subject.

PassivesPassives We don’t need anything really new for the passive, We don’t need anything really new for the passive,

just the passive auxiliary Pass.just the passive auxiliary Pass. bebe [Pass, [Pass, uuInfl:] selects a Infl:] selects a vvunaccusativeunaccusative..

By selecting for By selecting for vvunaccusativeunaccusative, the passive auxiliary , the passive auxiliary “removes” an Agent.“removes” an Agent. Not allowed for intransitives, an open mystery.Not allowed for intransitives, an open mystery.

The passive auxiliary works like other auxiliaries: The passive auxiliary works like other auxiliaries: Pass can value a lower [Pass can value a lower [uuInfl:] feature, if Pass’ own Infl:] feature, if Pass’ own [[uuInfl:] feature is valued by a [tense] feature, it is Infl:] feature is valued by a [tense] feature, it is strong.strong. Lunch was not eaten.Lunch was not eaten.

Pass is the last auxiliary in the HoP:Pass is the last auxiliary in the HoP: Lunch may not have been being eaten.Lunch may not have been being eaten. T > (Neg) > (Perf) > (Prog) > (Pass) > T > (Neg) > (Perf) > (Prog) > (Pass) > vv > V > V

Lunch was eatenLunch was eaten For For Lunch was eatenLunch was eaten, we Merge , we Merge eateat

and and lunchlunch to build the VP, then Merge to build the VP, then Merge an unaccusative an unaccusative vv……

NPlunch[N, :3sg, case]

VP

vvPP

v[v, uV*,uInfl:] V

eat[V, uN*]

Lunch was eatenLunch was eaten The V moves up to adjoin to The V moves up to adjoin to vv to check to check

the [the [uuV*V*] feature of ] feature of vv.. The Pass auxiliary is Merged (HoP).The Pass auxiliary is Merged (HoP).

[Pass] matches, values, checks [[Pass] matches, values, checks [uuInfl:Infl:] on ] on vv..

VP

<V>

vvPP

v

Veat

[V, uN*]

PassPPassP

Passbe

[Pass, uInfl:]

v[v, uV*,uInfl:]


Lunch was eatenLunch was eaten T is Merged (HoP).T is Merged (HoP).

[[nomnom] on T matches, values, checks [] on T matches, values, checks [casecase] on ] on lunchlunch..

[[:3sg] on lunch matches, values, checks [[uu:] on T.

[past] on T matches, values [uInfl:] on Pass.

VP

<V>

vvPP

v

Veat

[V, uN*]

PassPPassP

Passbe

[Pass, uInfl:]

v[v, uV*, uInfl:pass]


TT

T[T, tense:past,

u:, uN*, nom]

Lunch was eatenLunch was eaten Pass moves to T (checks [Pass moves to T (checks [uuInflInfl:past*] on :past*] on

Pass).Pass).

VP

<V>

vvPP

v

Veat

[V, uN*]

PassPPassP

<Pass>


NPlunch[N, :3sg, nom]

TT

T

Passbe

[Pass,uInfl:past*]

T[T, tense:past,u:3sg, uN*,nom]

Lunch was eatenLunch was eaten Lunch Lunch moves to SpecTP (checks [moves to SpecTP (checks [uuN*N*] on ] on

T).T).

VP

<V>

vvPP

v

Veat

[V, uN*]

PassPPassP

<Pass>


<NP>

TT

T

Passbe

[Pass,uInfl:past*]

T[T, tense:past,u:3sg, uN*,nom]

NPlunch

[N, :3sg, nom]

TP

Ditransitive passivesDitransitive passives

Consider again Consider again Pat gave Chris booksPat gave Chris books.. Chris was given books.Chris was given books. *Books were given Chris.*Books were given Chris.

(Exercise 6.5): (Exercise 6.5): Pat gave books to Pat gave books to ChrisChris.. Books were given to Chris.Books were given to Chris. *Chris was given books to.*Chris was given books to.

episode 8a. passives and remaining issues 6.4-6.7 cas lx 522 syntax i

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