1. Lecture 5 Krisztina Szécsényi
Syntax
Lecture 5
Krisztina Szécsényi

2. The Verb Phrase
Verbs and the lexicon: BESE pp [-F, -N, +V]: predicates taking arguments The 1) number and the 2) nature of the argument(s) varies. Complements: postverbal arguments.

3. The number of arguments
One-place predicates (one-argument verbs)
All the students are sleeping. (one argument, no complement)
Two-place predicates (two-argument verbs)
Merkel launches German coalition talks. (one argument, one complement)
Three-place predicates (three-argument verbs)
Did you put enough sugar into my coffee? (one argument, two complements)

4. The nature of arguments
Thematic/Theta/θ-roles : Agent: I am eating chocolate. Experiencer: I like chocolate. Theme: chocolate in the two sentences above Location: I put the books on the desk. (For more roles see BESE)

5. Lexical entries
laugh category: [–F, –N, +V] θ-grid: <agent> subcat: [∅] Percy placed the penguin on the podium. place category: [–F, –N, +V] θ -grid: <agent, theme, location> subcat: [nominal, prepositional]

6. The structure of the VP
BESE pp , X-bar Theory: two extra positions within the XP: one specifier, one complement Problem: three-argument verbs Proposal: extending the VP with the help of a vP (light verb), also conforming to the X-bar format, taking VP as a complement.

7. Light verbs
Peter made the door close. Two verbs, one event, not two independent activities (cf. Peter made a cake and closed the door) Related constructions: Peter closed the door. The door closed.