Feature 18. VP

found in question(s): 47

Definition and illustration

It is generally assumed in generative syntax that the verb is first combined with its object(s) before the external argument/transitive subject is introduced. While it is generally assumed nowadays that all arguments are merged within VP, languages differ as to the so-called EPP-requirement, i.e., whether the subject has to move to a designated subject position, usually identified with the specifier of T. It has been argued that this is the case in VO-languages but not in OV-languages. This entails that on the surface, the verb forms a constituent with the object to the exclusion of the subject in VO-languages only. We thus expect asymmetries between the two types of languages with respect to processes that target the VP-constituent.

Correlations

Question 47 tests for a surface VP-constituent by means of a classical constituency test, i.e., VP-ellipsis (see, e.g., Johnson 2001). This is predicted to be possible only in VO- but not in OV-languages:

• Prediction 1: O-V → *ellipsis of [O-V]
• Prediction 2: V-O → ellipsis of [V-O]

See also

This feature is closely connected to several others that explore the consequences of the presence/absence of the EPP, i.e., 5, 7, 12, 13, 17.

References