Control into infinitival relatives
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Published:2018-03-08
Issue:2
Volume:23
Page:469-494
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ISSN:1360-6743
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Container-title:English Language and Linguistics
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language:en
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Short-container-title:English Language and Linguistics
Abstract
This article focuses on a novel English construction involving control and infinitival relatives. Examples such as this is John's book to read have a head noun (book) modified by an infinitival relative clause (to read) and a prenominal possessor (John's). I argue that there is a control relation between the prenominal possessor and the PRO subject of the infinitival relative. I show that this control relation bears the structural hallmarks of obligatory control whilst at the same time permitting PRO to be interpreted as arbitrary. I discuss these empirical facts in the context of a syntactic, Agree-based theory of control.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subject
Linguistics and Language,Language and Linguistics
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