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Lec II B Urmataoarele Cursuri Si Seminarele Aferente 9 Martie 2015
Lec II B Urmataoarele Cursuri Si Seminarele Aferente 9 Martie 2015
Lec II B Urmataoarele Cursuri Si Seminarele Aferente 9 Martie 2015
Mary is quiet.
IP
Spec
I
I0
VP
-s
V0
BE
SC/AP
NP
N
N0
Mary
A
A0
quiet
The NP generated in the [Spec, SC] position will move to [Spec,IP] in order to be assigned case. Another possible
position would be [Spec, VP] which is empty because BU does not have an external argument, so no theta role can
be assigned in that position, but it is not a position in which case can be assigned.
Conclusion
The copula Be is a raising verb taking a small clause as its complement, it lacks an external argument, fails
to assign case to its complement, does not assign a theta role. Therfore it is an unaccusative verb which
selects a small clause, the subject of the sclause being generated in the [Spec, SC] position out of which it
raises to be assigned case.
The copula BE is semantically light, which has been taken as a possible explanation for the fact that it
shares a number of properties with the auxiliaries.
It behaves like auxiliary verbs it undergoes movement to I 0; it moves to C0 in question formation; it is
directly negated by not/nt, it can be stressed by emphatic affirmations, it occurs in tags and codas
4. (a) Are they students?
(b) They are not/arent students.
(c) Oh, but they ARE students.
(d) They are students, arent they?
(e) They are students, and so are theor friends.
Like an auxiliary, the copula BE precedes the adverbs.
5. They are always rude to everyone.
He is never impertiment.
Unlike auxiliaries, which only allow one type of complement (VP), the copula allows a wide variety of small
clauses as complements (DP, AP, NP, PP, IP, CP).
The copula can co-occur with other auxiliaries, including auxiliary BE
6. You have always been so nice to me.
He is being clumsy now!
When the small clause contains two NPs, any of the two can raise ti [Spec,IP]
7. That unimportant incident was the cause of the war.
COPULA-LIKE VERBS
Fall, stand, make, sit, loom, remain, hold, run, get, lie, grow, go, turn, pass, seem, come, etc
9. MAKE - If you work hard, you will make a good lawyer.(DP)
She will make a wonderful actress.(DP)
FALL The scheme fell flat.(AP)
He fell victim to her cruel remarks.(NP)
She fell an easy prey to him.(DP)
The house fell into ruins.(PP)
LIE The book lay open on the table.(AP)
The snow lay thick on the ground.(AP)
HOLD The argument holds true.(AP)
She always holds aloof from company.(AP)
STAND Tom stands alone amomg his mates.(AP)
We will stand firm.(AP)
Lady Jane stood godmother to her sisters child.(NP)
Those poor people stand in need of help.(PP)
SIT He sat tight on the saddle.(AP)
LOOM The castle loomed menacing in the distance. (AP)
REMAIN He remained a widower at the age of 30.(DP)
GET The sink got rusty.(AP)
GROW He has grown old.(AP)
TURN He finally turned a traitor. (DP)
They obliged the prisoners to turn Muslim. (AP)
PASS They pass for rich.(PP)
He passed for a doctor.(PP)
SEEM The students seem interested in linguistics. (AP)
COME The knot has come undone.(AP)
Copula-like verbs behave like the copula. They lack an external argument, their internal complement is a small
clause, so they are raising verbs like the copula.
I
I0
T
-ed
VP
V
V0
Fall
SC/AP
DP
The scheme
A
A0
Flat
Nevertheless, there are a number of differences between the copula and the copula-like verbs.
They preserve part of their lexical meaning (durative stay, remain, inchoative become, get)
They impose certain selectional restrictions on the small clause (see the examples above)
They do not combine with the full range of small clauses as BE
They do not raise, do not invert in question formation, need do-support, are not negated by not/nt, need
do-support, do not appear in tags and codas.
10. They turned Muslim.
*Turned they Muslim? (Did they turn Muslim?)
*They turned not Muslim. (They didnt turn Muslim)
*They turned Muslim, turnednt they?
They do not precede the adverbs (like lexical verbs)
11. *The river runs always dry in summer.
The river always runs dry in summer.
Unlike the copula BE, when the small clause contains two NPs, only the NP subject, that is the one
generated in [Spec, SC] position can raise to [Spec, IP].
12. My uncle remained a doctor all his life.
*A doctor remained my uncle all his life.
THE PREDICATIVE
THE ADJECTIVAL TYPE
Adjectives are heads that project structure according to X-bar, can be modified by an adverb in the Spec
position, can select a complement (PP , CP or IP), can also contain adjuncts
13. (a)rather envious of Marys success
They select internal arguments (like verbs) to which they assign theta roles. They generally subcategorize
for PP, but the preposition is idiosyncratic, that is it cannot be predicted from the properties of the
adjective. Some adjectives subcategorize for IP (infinitives) or CPs.
30. capable of decision; conversant with the subject; lacking in intelligence; dependent on his family;
answearable to the Prime Minister
31. They were eager to succeed.
He is ready to leave.
She was happy that they had arrived.
I am afraid that they will not manage.
They behave like verbs in a number of ways, but do not inflect for Tense and Agreement. They take a subjected
hosted by [Spec,AP] and a complement to which they assign theta roles.This type of phrase is assumed to be a
small clause
32. He became very angry with his sisters for their attitude.
IP
Spec
I
I0
VP
-ed
V0
SC/AP
Become
DP
He
AP
AvP
Very
A
A0
Angry
PP
For their
Attitude
PP
with his
Sisters
14. Fashion has to change almost with the moon to . fashionable.15. How did Socrates .. master of himself?
16. There are times when we are like horses, we . psychologists, we . restive. 17. When he .. very old, he told
them a story he had heard in China. 18. Her relatives would have nothing to do with her. She . sick, poor and weak. 19.As
he remarried, his son .. estranged. 20. Without what makes it full, the valley may .. dry. 21. He has such a sensitive
face like Apollo .. fasting friar. 22. He did not seem to notice that Henry had .. silent. 23. Why had they all
so quiet? 24. The nuclear weapons that had been stored in the cave had .. loose, the cylinders had cracked. 25. He put in a
word here before things .. heated. 26. The air around them .. awash with daylight. The sky .. something
light and limitless. 27. Glands can larger or smaller in response to use. 28. They may choose to . hungry rather
than make another ten-mile track. 29. Perhaps if the population of that country had not been exposed to the whole terror of
modern war, they would have . permanently nonviolent. 30. Who can .. muddy and yet, settling, slowly ..
limpid. 31. And if I cease to desire and . still, they will be at peace of their own accord. 32. King`s Chapel .
without peer. 33. Laws should not be allowed to into contempt. 34. You can young at heart. 35. How many
positions have . vacant? 36. He is unhappy because he has bald. 37. They have .. short of food. 38. Such
crimes must not . unpunished. 39. Their achievement unmatched to this day. 40. One can .. lyrical on such a
subject. 41. His plan to reform the system has unstuck.42. Joblessness and school dropouts .. large among the
problems I encountered. 43. A string may .. untied. 44. The telephone .. dead. 45. The material has .. thin. 46.
She .. pretentious. 47. The machinery has to rust. 48. They . for the richest family in the county. 49.These
methods have gradually .. into disuse.
X. Fill in the necessary prepositions:
1. He was not ________ home in their world. 2. The table was ______ disarray. 3.The writing fit was ________ him
again. 4.Crying was ______ the point. 6.The man was _______ his best behaviour at the party. 6.I am _______ films.
7.This is an unpopular measure whichever Administration is ____ power. 8.We are ________ fear of snow. 9.In many cities
efforts were _______ way to raise funds. 10.Life was _______ standstill in New York yesterday. 11.You are _______
liberty to go. 12.The film hits him home; it`s right _____ target. 13.Their skill is _______ demand now. 14.Are you _____
good terms with yourself? 15.Can you say you are _________ no obligation to help? 16.He is always ________ a
disadvantage in arguments.17. Are you _______ to it? 18.Our zone is ______ peace. 19.The call is ________ . 20.These
clans are still _______ war. 21.We were ________ exclusion and discrimination.
XI. Translate into English using BE+PP/PRT+(PP):
1. Este o greeal fr importan. 2. Rmsese n urm cu plata chiriei. 3. i-e soarta n joc. 4. Copacii au nmugurit. 5. Se
studiaza promovarea ta. 6. E la curent cu asta? 7. terenul acesta este cultivat cu cartofi. 8. Sunt nc la prima ceac de ceai. 9.
Nu are greutatea necesar. 10. Au ordin s trag. 11. Face parte din personal de zece ani. 12. E nc n tratament. 13. E n curs
o anchet pe plan local. 14. mi pare ru, nu mai avem aceste vederi n stoc. 15. Nu-i vorbi cnd lucreaz. 16. El a greit. 17. Ai
terminat cu cltoriile. 18. Vrea s-i ia slujba. 19. Probabil c are dureri mari. 20. Nici nu ai idee cu ce te pui.
XII. Translate into English, paying attention to the copulative predications and also to all the a fi
predicates: A. Copiii sunt veseli i zgomotoi. Ei au devenit cercettori. Noi suntem fericii de venirea prietenilor notri.
Mihai a ajuns al doilea la crosul de ieri. Obligaia ta rmne de a citi mereu cte puin din crile din biblioteca tatlui tau.
Tema este de scris. Azi nu ari prea bine. Vecinul meu este, n zilele de smbt i duminic, paznic la un deposit de materii
prime. Ea a rmas, cun tii i tu foarte bine, generoas i amabil. Problema este s ne prezentm in corpore acolo. Toi vei
deveni ceea ce v-ai propus. S renuni acum nseamn s-i recunoti public neputina. Primvara aceasta este timpurie.
B. Era pe la 1601. Am fost la munte cu trenul. Ct e kilogramul de banane? Ce e cnd i se bate ochiul stng? Ea este n
camera de alturi. Aparatul era construit de o echip special. Cnd a fost s pleci te-am ajutat. Numai cine nu socoate
iubirea de ar drept o datorie e n stare s se laude cu ea. Tu ai ajuns, conform previziunilor mele, pictor. Realizarea ta n
acest domeniu nseamn, n final, o mare recompens. Fapta lui pare nensemnat, dar va avea, sunt sigur, consecine
cumplite. El se va face medic dup ce va termina facultatea. Pe msura ce nvai devenii mai nelepi.
C. Dorina noastr este s ne perfecionm. Visul ei a fost s se fac actri. El nu a devenit ceeace a visat. Colegul meu a
ajuns ce a dorit mereu s fie, adica on de afaceri. coala a rmas cum o tii. Fiica prietenei mele cele mai bune s-a fcut ceea ce
i-au dorit prinii s fie i acum este cumplit de nemulumit. Rspunsul tu nseamn c nu ai neles nimic din ce am spus
pn acum sau nu ai fost deloc atent.Rsplata va fi dup cum o merii. Cartea este a oricui ar dori s-o cumpere. ntrebarea
este cine ca fi premiat la sfritul acestui concurs. Mncarea-i cum i place ie, nici prea cald, nici prea rece, nici prea srat,
nici prea condimentat. Cum e mama e i fiica.
D. 1. Cci obiceiul era s se mearg cumva cu capul descoperit n cazul cnd el singur ar fi fost acoperit i s-ar fi vzut c n-a
mai intrat niciodat n asemenea local, iar lumea distins s-ar fi uitat zmbind dispreuitoare dup el. Dac dimpotriv
obiceiul ar fi fost ca s se mearg acoperit iar el ar fi intrat cu plria n mn, cu hainele roase i lustruite, cu faa de bolnav
neras socoti c ar prea desigur acolo un comisionar care aut pe cineva i gndul acesta i rsucea nervii. (Camil Petrescu)
2. Poate c ofierul a neles c e mai bun afacerea pentru el s se fac la noapte c doarme dect s mai mearg pn la
Seltim, hruit mereu c se afl ntr-o ar strin, mai ales c nu se mai opera nici o barc i pe malul cellalt nu puteau s
vorbeasc cu loptarii . (Camil Petrescu) 3. N-am s-i dau rspuns la ntrebrile acestea cci ce voiesc eu e numai s detept
n mine sentimental c atunci cnd eram copil nu-mi ddeam seama despre ceea ce fceam. Mama era, ce-i drept, aspr, dar
ei nu-I psa de ceea ce fceam eu; vorba era numai s nu cad, s nu m lovesc, s nu m tai, s nu m ard, s nu m fac de
ruine . (Ioan Slavici) 4. Asta nseamn c se apropie sfritul, se gndi bolnavul, i pe portia gndului simea cum se furia
n gol amenintor o dr de groaz care totui prea c-I plcut. (Liviu Rebreanu) 5. Dac el ndrznea, nsemna c el tia
ceva care ei nu tiau i nfrigurai s afle acest ceva nou i nesbuit care apruse n mijlocul lor, lsar cruele fr paz i
ncepur s se apropie din toate prile. (Marin Preda). 6. Cnd fu s plecm, m lu la o parte s m previe s fiu fa de
soul ei ca i cum nu s-ar fi ntmplat nimic i n-a fi tiut nimic, pentru c nici dnsul nu avea s-i aduc aminte. (Mateiu
Caragiale)
UNERGATIVE VERBS
a) predicates describing willed or volitional acts: work, play, speak, talk, smile, grin, frown, grimace, think,
mediate, cogitate, daydream, skate, ski, swim, hunt, bicycle, walk, skip, jog, quarrel, fight, wrestle, box,
agree, disagree, knock, bang, hammer, pray, weep, cry, kneel, bow, laugh, dance, crawl.
b) verbs denoting manners of speaking: whisper, shout, mumble, grumble, growl, bellow, etc
c) predicates describing sounds made by animals: bark, neigh, quack, roar, chirp, oink, mew, etc
d) verbs denoting involuntary bodily processes: cough, sneeze, hiccough, belch, burp, defecate, urinate,
sleep, cry, weep, etc
Eg. They quarreled quite often.
We sneezed a lot with hay fever.
They ski in the Alps every year.
She was weeping with joy at the ceremony.
UNACCUSATIVE VERBS
A) burn, fall, drop, sink, float, slide, slip, glide, soar, flow, ooze, seep, trickle, drip, gush, hang, dangle, sway,
wave, tremble, shake, languish, flourish, thrive, drown, stumble, trip, roll, succomb, dry, boil, seethe,
lie(involuntarily), sit(involuntarily), bend(involuntarily),
B) inchoatives (verbs showing a process resulting in a change of state) : melt, freeze, evaporate, redden,
darken, yellow, rot, decompose, germinate, sprout, bud, wilt, wither, increase, decrease, blush, explode,
die, perish, choke, suffocate, scatter, disperse, vanish, disappear
C) verbs of existing and happening: exist, occur, happen, result, take place
D) aspectual predicates: begin, start, stop, cease, continue, end, etc
E) duratives: last, remain, stay, survive, etc
F) verbs denoting a non-voluntary emission of stimuli that has an impact on the senses : shine, sparkle,
glitter, glow, jingle, clink, clang, snap, crackle, pop, smell, stink, etc
G) verbs of existence: blaze, bubble, cling, coexist, correspond, decay, depend, drift, dwell, elapse, emanate, exist,
fester, float, flow, fly, grow, hide, hover, live, loom, lurk, overspread, persist, predominate, prevail, project,
protrude, revolve, reside, rise, shelter, settle, smoulder, spread, stream, survive, sweep, swing, tower, wind
H) verbs of appearance: accumulate, appear, arise, awake, awaken, break, burst, dawn, derive, develop, emerge,
ensure, evolve, exude, flow, follow, gush, happen, issue, materialize, occur, plop, spill, steal, stem, supervene,
surge
Remark: the basic meaning of the verbs in the last two categories may not be that of existence or appearance, but,
when used in the there-insertion construction, they will show this sense.
Different D-structures
Unergatives : NP [VP V]
Unaccusatives: _ [VP V NP]
Unergatives
Unaccusatives
VP
NP
VP
V
V0
V
V0
NP
This D-structure is in accordance with the case-assigning properties of the two classes of verbs. Following Burzios
generalization, a verb which lacks an external argument, that is does not assign an external theta role also fails to
assign Accusative case.Therefore, the internal argument of unaccusatives has to move out of the VP internal
position in order to be assigned case. On the contrary, unergatives, which have an external argument, can assign
Accusative case under specific conditions.
Eg. He dreamt a nice dream.
TESTS FOR UNERGATIVITY/UNACCUSATIVITY
A. There-insertion
Only unaccusatives (with the exception of verbs of change of state) and passive verbs can occur in the thereinsertion construction, unergatives are not allowed in this construction.
Eg. A problem developed. /There developed a problem.
A ship appeared in the horizon. / There appeared a ship in the horizon.
A woman lodged at Mrs Browns. / *There lodged a woman at Mrs Browns
Oiled soared in price. / *There soared in price.
Eg, (passive predicates) There was found in this cave an ancient treasure.
There was glued a poster on this wall.
Eg. (unergatives) *There sneezed a man.
*There broke out a fire.
*There spoke a man in a loud voice.
Eg. (change of state) *On the line there are drying a lot of clothes.
*There melted a lot of snow on the streets of the city.
VP
T
-s
V
V0
BE
SC
A student in the room
Because of the Case Filter and the EPP, either the subject of the SC moves to [Spec,IP] or the expletive there is
inserted.
2. The VP adjunct analysis
The PP is an adjunct adjoined to V and there is assumed to be present at D-structure.
IP
There
I
I0
VP
-s
PP
In the room
V0
DP
BE
a student
IP
IP
I0
I0
p
there
VP
DP
A cry of
Anguish
0
V
V0
Came
VP
DP
a cry of
anguish
PP
from
Inside the
House
V0
came
V
PP
from
inside the
house
3.Definiteness
Definite NPs, proper names and pronouns cannot normally be used as subjects of the there-insertion
constructions.
Eg. *There is every student of mine in the room.
*There is John in the garden.
* There was him waiting for Mary.
Indefinites are allowed as subjects in there-insertion constructions, while the postverbal NP had to
denote a discourse referent that is new to the hearer.
Eg. There were flies in the room.
There remained a boy in the room.
Nevertheless, there may be other situations when not only indefinites are allowed as subjects of a there-insertion
construction:
Conclusion
There has no meaning of its own
It is a semantically empty element, required for structural reasons it fills the subject position
Its presence in the sentence is dependent of the presence of its associate, the postverbal NP, which must be
indefinite
B. Intransitives and Locative Inversion
It is a non-canonical construction in which the the surface subject stays inside the VP and the sentence initial
position is occupied by a locative PP.It is a construction in which only unaccusatives can appear, unergatives and
transitives are ungrammatical. The most frequently used verbs are underived unaccusatives, namely verbs of
appearance and verbs of existence as well as verbs denoting position in space. Derived unaccusatives denoting a
definite change of state cannot be used in this configuration
(locative) PP V NP
Eg. 1. On our left was the Mediterranean.
2. On the table sat a nervous cat.
3. Out of nowhere appeared a mysterious figure.
Verbs belonging to the arrive class, which are telic, but underived (they do not have a transitive causative
counterpart) do not allow this construction (advance, arrive, ascend, come,depart, descend, enter,
escape,exit,fall, flee,go,leave,plunge,return, rise, etc)
Eg, The prisoners froze [to death]
The bottle broke [open].
The gate swung [shut].
The curtain rolled [open on the court of the queen].
Eg. *She arrived tired.
*The convict escaped exhausted.
*She fell broken to pieces.
Unaccusatives do not occur in sentences with Resultatives phrases predicated of non-argumental NPs,
unlike unergatives that appear in such constructions.
Eg. *The log rolled [its bark off]. / The log rolled off.
*The cart rolled [the rubber off its wheels].
The two NPs which appear in a postverbal position are not arguments of the unaccusative verbs, they are not
subcategorized for by the verb, so they cannot enter a resultative phrase.
Unaccusatives can appear with resultative phrases without the mediation of a fake reflexive
Eg. * The water froze itself solid.
D. Intransitives and Past Participles
Generally speaking, the past participle of an unaccusative can be used as a noun modifier, both pre and postnominally, while the past participle of unergatives cannot.
Eg. A fallen leaf; vanished civilizations
*walked man, *slept children, *a worked man
Nevertheless, not all unaccusatives appear in a pre or post-nominal modifying position.
Eg. *A man lived in Paris, *an existed solution (atelic verbs)
The past participle of unaccusative describing atelic situations is incompatible with this position. Telic
unaccusatives are compatible with this construction.
Atelic unaccusatives verbs of appearance, verbs of disappearance, verbs of inherently directed motion, verbs
denoting an internally caused change of state.
Telic unaccusatives fall into two categories: firstly (a) verbs depicting a change of state which can be
interpreted as a property (eg. Fallen leaves, blistered feet) and which are freely used as noun modifiers, and
secondly(b) verbs depicting a change of location or of place (?a fallen child) which are less felicitous as noun
modifiers.
VP
DP
The rain
V0
Came
Prt
down
The Particles with the strongest meaning are the locative or directional ones. They preserve a high degree of
independence which is confirmed by their possible Preposing for emphasis purposes.
Eg. The balloon went up. / Up went the balloon.
IP
I
I0
VP
DP
The balloon
V0
Go
Prt
up
With unaccusative verbs the [Spec, p] position is a non-thematic position, so the particle can move to that
position and later on to [Spec,IP] which is also a non-thematic position with such verbs.
Aspectual particles refer to the temporal dimension of the event. They may render a variety of meanings:
a) the incipient character of the event out, in, off
eg. They set out to win support for their cause.
A hostile reaction has set in.
The cars set off in a cloud of dust.
b) the durative aspect on, away (they indicate the continuation of the event)
Most verbs combine freely with on.
Eg. Speak / work / walk on
Away is more limited contextually.
Eg. He was working away.
She was laughing / muttering/ grumbling away.
c) the terminative aspect out, away, through, off, up
Eg. This custom has died out.
He passed away quietly at midnight.
We must clean up after the party.
Theres planty for every one. So, eat up!
The particle up may be used to indicate intensification of the action.
Eg. The runners are warming up before the race.
Cheer up!
The contribution of the particle to the global meaning of the verb may be null, in other words a new meaning is
created as a result of the combination. The meaning of the phrasal verb no longer is a sum total of the meanings of
the two components, namely the verb and the particle, but a totally new meaning is now associated with the
resulting phrasal verb.
Eg. Come round (regain consciousness)
Do up (be fastened)
Give in (yield)
Get along (manage)
Get by (survive)
Turn up (appear)
2) an existential BE sentence, where the nominalized form appears in a postverbal position, while the position of
the subject is filled by the expletive THERE.
Eg. There was a break-in last night.
There was a walk-out during the morning.
d) preposing stylistic device which applies for emphatic purposes. It applies where the particle does not form a
unit with the verb. It means that the subject remains in post verbal position, while the particle moves before the
verb. If the subject is an NP it can sometimes move in [Spec, vp]. If the subject is a pronoun, it always moves in
[Spec, vp].
Eg. Down came the prices.
Off came the actors fake beard.
Down the snow came.
In the sun went.
Down they came.
Down the snow came.
IP
I
I0
VP
DP
The snow
V0
Come
Prt
down
Inherent reflexives
There are a number of verbs which are inherently reflexives. The reflexive is specified as an inherent feature by the
Lexicon. Some of these verbs can subcategorize for a prepositional object.
Eg. Absent oneself; bestir oneself; perjure oneself
Avail oneself of something; pride oneself on something
Complex intransitives
Complex intransitives are two-argument verbs, which have an external argument and an internal argument which
is not a direct object, but it generally is a prepositional object or and adverbial modifier.
1.Prepositional intransitives
Prepositional intransitives are not a homogeneous class, due to various factors such as:
a) the meaning contribution of the preposition
b) some
c) are not passivizable, as different from the greatest number of prepositional intransitives
d) the degree of idiomaticity
Examples:
1. A gang of thieves broke into her house last night.
He glanced through the article quickly.
In the examples above, the preposition retains part of its meaning.
2. Adverbs of time or manner (carefully, easily, frequently) can be inserted between the verb and the prepositional
phrase.
We will go very carefully into these proposals.
If the combination is idiomatic, it is no longer possible.
She gets at her husband frequently. / *She gets frequently at her husband.
3. Passivization it is possible for some, but impossible for some others.
The main points were run through briefly.
If the prepositional object is part of an idiomatic phrase, passivization is blocked.
He has fallen into disrepute recently. / *Disrepute had been fallen into recently.
Passivization of the prepositional object is possible for unergatives, and unacceptable for unaccusatives.
Intransitives with Particle and Preposition
This class includes verbs that subcategorize for a fixed particle and a fixed preposition followed by its object.
Eg. They had done away with that piece of legislation.
The family came up against fresh problems.
Look forward to; put up with, scrape along on (a low salary)
Some collocation allow deletion of the prepositional object:
Eg. The boat went aground (on the shore)
In between the particle and the preposition an adverb of manner may be inserted:
Eg. They had done away reluctantly with that piece of legislation.
If the preposition is not deletable, passivization can apply:
Eg. Those interruptions were not put up with cheerfully.
Intransitives with a Prepositional Indirect Object
Eventive verbs, experiencer verbs and relational verbs subcategorize foe an indirect object headed by the
preposition to.
Eventive happen, befall the Dative NP expresses the experiencer or victim of the event
Eg. Whats happened to the old man?
A great misfortune has befallen the old man (the deletion of the preposition to is obligatory)
Experiencer seem, appear, occur, sound, taste
Eg. How does it seem to you?
It has never occurred to her to ask herself that question.
The cake tastes funny to me.
Relational
a) general relational verbs indicating possession belong, possess
Eg. It belongs to me.
b) relations of inferiority bow to smb, cringe to/before smb, defer to smd/smth, submit to smd,
yield to smth
Eg. The girl bowed to the audience.
I shall always defer to my taste / to his experience.
As the prepositional object is generally an experiencer, it not possible to passivize any of the verbs in these
categories.
Intransitives with two Prepositional Objects
a) V to about/upon/for
Eg. He lectures to undergraduates on the Elizabethan theatre.
You should appologize to Mary for your bahaviour.
Most of them allow passivization, and even have two passive counterparts.
Eg. We will have to speak to the tutor about the matter.
The tutor will have to be spoken to about the matter.
The matter will have to be spoken about.
b) argue, discuss, quarrel with [+human] about smth
Eg, He was arguing with his wife about the matter. (NO passive)
Intransitives with Adverbial modifiers
a) with locative and directional AdvP
- lie, be, remain, sit, stand locative phrase
Eg. A book is on the table. / There is a book on the table.
Romania lies in Europe.
- directional phrase and Adverbial phrase denoting the departure point, the destination point, the path or the
itinerary
Eg.I have been to Brasov. (destination)
Eg. Go (away, fro,, to, towards, off)
Arrive (at, in)
Come (to, from)
Travel (from, to, through)
Swim (across)
Run (along)
NO passive
b) with adverbial phrases of time
- last The show lasted (for) two hours.
NO passive
c) with manner adverbials
- act, behave eg. He acted well.
He has always behaved decently.
NO passive
Intransitives with Quantifying Adverbs
- cost, weigh, owe
(NO Passive)
DIFFER, STAND, FALL, GO, RUN, OCCUR, DRIZZLE, DART, ABSENT, DEAL, COME, BEHAVE, SULK,
RESIDE, DWELL, PANT
X. Which of the sentences below containing instances of locative inversion are grammatical and which are
ungrammatical?
1.On the line are drying a lot of towels. 2. In a little white house lived two rabbits.3.To their left, beyond a strip of glass, was
the front of a large high building in grey stone.4.Above then pranced the horses on the frieze.5. On her finger sparkled a
magnificent diamond.
XI. Passivize the sentences below:
1. A gang of thieves broke into the house last night. 2. He glanced through the article quickly. 3. We will go very carefully into
these proposals. 4. We ran through the main points. 5. They had done away with that piece of legislation. 6. They are looking
forward to their voyage.7. The speaker did not put up with the interruptions so cheerfully. 8. They agreed with him on the
matter. 9. You should not look down on such people. 10. They discussed the matter and put forth their proposals.
XII. Fill in the appropriate item and specify if it is a Preposition or a Particle:
1. She was _________ a strange spell. 2. The waiter has run ________ our bill. 3. Xandra seems to look ________ some
of her schoolmates. 4. The horse was being galloped _________ the slope. 5. Alice fell __________ a trance. 6. The indigo
horizon is penciled _______ _________ silver.7. Why do you kick ______ this comfortable chair? 8. Will the crystals
break ________ a peal of bells? 9. The tigers fur was spotted __________ yellowish brown. 10. My parents have frowned
______ ma decision. 11. She looked ________ at the tables standing ________ . 12. The kid was crying ______ pain.
XIII. Translate into English:
A. 1. A strigat pn a rguit.2. A plns pn a adormit. 3. Lacul a ngheat de tot. 4. Adesea se ncuie pe dinafar. 5. Beivul a
czut dar a reuit s se redreseze. 6. A rs pn i s-a fcut ru.7. A tot mers pn a obosit. 8. Cinele a ltrat pn l-a trezit din
somn. 9. A plns de i-au ieit ochii din cap. 10. A dormit pn i-a trecut mahmureala. 11. Soldaii lui Napoleon au murit
ngheai n Siberia. 12. Calul a galopat pn a nceput s schiopteze. 13. Apa a ngheat bocn. 14. Ua s-a rotit i s-a deschis.
15. Poarta s-a blngnit pn s-a nchis.
B. 1. n ce abunda lacul? 2. Cui s-au predat? 3. Merge pe treizecu de ani. 4. Vasul nu mai supoart schimbri. 5. Conta pe
faptul c va fi transferat n India. 6. Clubul asigur satisfacerea preocuprilor celor tineri. 7. Mulimea vocifera mpotriva
deciziei nedrepte. 8. Se ag de creang. 9. M-a atacat ca o tigroaic. 10. Tnjea dup pace i linite. 11. Soarele apru n
sfrit. 12. Vinul s-aterminat nainte de sfritul recepiei. 13. A trebuit s suportm mult zgomot cnd prinii lor au fost
plecai de acas. 14. N-are rost s lsm lucrurile s se adune. 15. Era posibil s apar probe noi. 16. Vocea nu era la nlimea
nfirii. 17. Te dai n vnt dup srutatul minii? 18. Ar fi cazul s vorbeasc cineva n favoarea conceptului de cinste i
onoare. 19. Nu pot da napoi de la ce am zis. 20. De ce parte eti? 21. Ce valori aperi? 22. Atepta s primeasc noi
instruciuni. 23. Mai redu din poria de dulciuri, ai s faci diabet. 24.Doctorul i-a recomandat s elimine grsimile ca s nu
mai fac iar o criz de inim. 25. Ieri la edin a prezentat cteva propuneri. 26. S trecem la urmtoarea chestiune. 27. ipa
ct l ineau plmnii. 28. A trecut luna pe cer. 29. Ploaia a inut trei zile. 30. Oile tocmai urcau la stna i baciul venera agale
pe lng ele.