Week 6

Question 1

Finite clauses

Answer 1

1. Have one tensed verb
2. This is always the first verb in a sequence
3. Finite clauses must have a pronounced subject in standard registers of English
4. Finite clauses can be main or subordinate
5. S or S’

Question 2

Non-finite clauses

Answer 2

1. Have no tensed verbs
2. A non-finite VP received a non-finite label (e.g. [bare])
3. Often have unpronounceable subjects in English (Ø)
4. Subordinate only
5. S (with overt or empty subject)
6. S’ (for… to… -clauses)

Question 3

Verbs forms in non-finite clauses

Answer 3

1. Bare infinitive (leave, clean)
2. Passive participle (the problem solved, the theory proven)
3. To infinitive (to leave)
4. Ing-participle

Bare and passive are simple, to infinitives and -ing are complex non-finite clauses.

Question 4

Object gap

Answer 4

In passive participle clauses, you can add a by-phrase, so there’s an object gap in the tree/sentence.

Albert wants [the problem solved •].
Albert wants [the problem solved by the police].

Question 5

What kind of verb is “to”?

Answer 5

“To” is an infinitival participle that we will label V. It’s an auxiliary verb that is the non-finite syntactic equivalent of a modal auxiliary.

Like modal auxiliaries, “to” occupies the first position in a verb string:
• Celia expected [Rosalind to have eaten the cake].

Question 6

-ing participle clauses (gerund)

Answer 6

These clauses have the progressive participle but without the progressive auxiliary “be”.

Question 7

English finite clauses must…

Answer 7

They must display a pronounced subject.

It is uncertain [whether John will return].
It will be sunny tomorrow.

Question 8

Pronounced vs. unpronounceable subject

Answer 8

Finite clauses must display a pronounced subject.

It is uncertain [whether John will return].
It will be sunny tomorrow.

In non-finite clauses, unpronounced (or empty) subjects are often observed.

Pronounced: John expects [Mary to return].
Unpronounced: John expects [Ø to return].

Question 9

Empty subject in all non-finite clauses (bare inf, passive participle, to inf, -ing participle)

Answer 9

1. Bare infinitives
   All Lisa did was [Ø disguise herself].
2. Passive participle
   [Ø Beaten • twice that week], the boxer retired.
3. To infinitives
   Watson hoped [Ø to unravel the truth].
4. -ing participle
   [Ø Having revealed her secret], Lisa felt relieved.

Question 10

Controlled empty subjects

Answer 10

If the empty subject is referring to a NP somewhere in the larger sentence, then it’s controlled.

Mary was busy [Ø stuffing the turkey].

Watson hoped [Ø** to unravel the truth].

Question 11

What’s it called when a controlled empty subject and its controller refer to the same thing?

Answer 11

Co-reference

Question 12

Co-indexation

Answer 12

To show what is controlling the gap; we can use indices (little numbers or letters).

Question 13

Non-controlled empty subjects

Answer 13

The empty subject receives a generic interpretation: arbitrary reference.

[Ø To err] is human.
[Ø Smoking in a pub] is illegal.