ACTION TIER

ROLE DEFINITION
It is the role of an argument that performs a wilful action
without affecting any other entity. It is the doer of an action of
ACTOR an intransitive verb. It has to be an animate entity.

Silvia left the room.

ACTOR
It is the role of an argument that performs a wilful action and,
in doing so, affects some other entity. It is the doer of an action
AGENT of a transitive verb.

Tom broke a window.

AGENT
It is the role of an argument that exists before the action is
performed and that is affected by this action. Syntactically
PATIENT/ speaking, the patient is the DO.
AFFECTED
Tom broke a window.
AGENT PATIENT/ AFFECTED
It is the role of an argument that an agent uses to perform an
action or instigate a process. In general, it is an inanimate
entity. Note that the preposition WITH appears when
paraphrasing.

INSTRUMENT The computer has solved the problem.

INSTRUMENT

Somebody has solved the problem WITH a computer.

AGENT PATIENT INSTRUMENT
It is the role of an argument for whose benefit the event took
place. Syntactically speaking, the beneficiary is the
INTENDED RECIPIENT (that is to say, the IO). Therefore, it
appears when the verb is a verb of giving. Note that the
preposition FOR appears when paraphrasing.

BENEFICIARY She made Bill a cake.

BENEFICIARY

She made a cake FOR Bill.

BENEFICIARY
 THEMATIC TIER
ROLE DEFINITION
- WITH STATIVE VERBS:
 It is the role of an argument that is located somewhere.
It is a real entity.

The pencil was on the table.

THEME

 It is the role of an argument that is metaphorically

located in someone´s mind. It is an abstract entity like
an idea, a thought or belief.

John believes that Mary is clever.

THEME

THEME  It is the role of an argument that is characterised, that is

the topic of the predicate.

The boy is clever.

THEME

- WITH DYNAMIC VERBS

 It is the role of an argument that is an entity in motion
or located after motion.

John went to the cinema.

THEME

John put the book on the table.

THEME
It is the role of an argument from which the motion of the theme
takes place. It is sometimes introduced by the preposition
FROM.

John returned from Paris.

SOURCE
SOURCE
Syntactically speaking, subjects are the source since they are,
metaphorically or literally, the holders of something.

John told Sarah the secret.

SOURCE
It is the role of an argument that describes from where to where
the motion takes place.
PATH
The party lasted all night.
PATH
It is the role of an argument towards which the motion takes
GOAL
 place, either literally or metaphorically.

Paul told his friends the truth.

GOAL
It is the role of an argument that names the location in which the
action occurs.
PLACE
Paul has two blue pens.
PLACE