1. Lecture 8 Krisztina Szécsényi
Syntax
Lecture 8
Krisztina Szécsényi

2. Verb types and structure
Smaller structure (only VP)
Bigger structure (with vP)
arrive-type intransitives (=unaccusative verbs)
Multiple complement verbs (put, give)
open-type verbs without the agent (small-structure ergative verbs)
Constructions with overt light verbs (e.g. causatives)
Transitive verbs (buy)
open-type verbs with the agent (big-structure ergative verbs)
Die-type intransitives
(= intransitive/unergative verbs)

3. VP-structure and objects
Smaller structure
(only VP, no vP)
Bigger structure with vP
Object never possible
Object always possible, even when not selected (cognate objects)

4. VP-structure and accusative case
Intransitive vs. unaccusative verbs: different types of objectlessness. Intransive: no selected object, but accusative case assignment possible. Unaccusative: accusative case assignment not possible.

5. VP structure and accusative case
Traditional view: transitive verbs assign accusative case to their objects.
Questions:
Cognate objects (only for intransitives!)?
What does it mean with the more compex structure containing a vP?

6. VP-structure and accusative case
Correlation: an accusative DP is possible in a VP only if it contains a vP (agentive or experiencer). the source of accusative case is the light verbal head

7. Exam questions Multiple choice test (25)
Which of the following sentences contains an unaccusative verb?
The vase broke.
The enemy sank the ship
Peter put the book on the shelf.
The train departed for Moscow.

8. Exam questions
Explain why the following structures are ungrammatical (15): *The train arrived a fast arrival. *There smiled a boy at the clown. Draw a tree for the following sentence: (10) I will buy a book.