Information Packaging

Question 1

Passive clause

Answer 1

Prototypically, a clause with auxiliary be followed by a past participle followed optionally by a by+NP, and having an active counterpart

Question 2

Extraposition construction

Answer 2

A clause construction which Prototypically has dummy it as its subject and a post verbal subordinate clause

Ex. It is fortunate that you could come.

Question 3

Existential clause

Answer 3

A clause which Prototypically has the dummy pronoun “there” as subject and a complement corresponding to the subject of a more basic construction

Ex. There was a key on the table. (key = subject of more basic: a key was on the table)

Question 4

Scope and negative existential clauses

Answer 4

Counterpart does not mean same with quantifiers and negatives.

Ex, there weren’t many members present
Many members weren’t present

Question 5

The system of voice

Answer 5

One where the terms differ as to how the syntactic functions are aligned with semantic roles. Usually also formal differences either associated with the verb (ex. Special inflection or auxiliaries) or associated with the NPs (ex. Special case marking or prepositions)

Question 6

Differences between active and passive clauses

Answer 6

1. Subject of active appears in passive as complement of preposition “by” in a PP functioning as complement
2. The direct object of the active appears as the subject of passive
3. Passive has auxiliary “be” carrying tense inflection and taking as complement a subject less nonfinite clause with a head in past participle form

Question 7

Internalized complement

Answer 7

Used to describe by phrase in passive bacause it acts like an internal complement

Question 8

Kaplans new/old

Answer 8

1. Hearer new / discourse new (princes brand new?)
2. Hearer new / discourse old (
3. Hearer old / discourse new (
4. Hearer old / discourse old

Question 9

Short v. Long passives

Answer 9

Short= passive clauses with no internalized complement
Allow deletion of main clause subject that would be required in the long passive
Ex. The house was built in 1960. V. Built the house in 1960.

Long = passive clauses with internalized complement

Question 10

Prepositional passive

Answer 10

Subject of passive corresponds to an object of a preposition rather than of the verb

Ex. People are looking into the matter.
The matter is being looked into.

Question 11

Specifying preposition

Answer 11

Preposition whose presence in a PP is determined by the head verb, noun, or adjective of which the PP is complement; rely on it, gifts to charity, afraid of her

Question 12

Unspecified preposition and passives

Answer 12

Preposition has ordinary meaning and can be replaced by other prepositions in active.
Ex. Someone has slept (in/on/under/near) this bed.
Passives ONLY allowed if there is an effect on subject referent or some significant property of it.
Ex. This bed has been slept in (ok - affects the bed)
The bed was sat near (not ok- no effect)

Question 13

Get-passives

Answer 13

Informal style that get (non aux) instead of be (aux) so insert dummy do in interrogative and negative.
ex.  Pat was bitten by a snake.
Pat got bitten by a snake.
They werent charged until later.
They didn't get charged until later.

Question 14

Bare passives

Answer 14

Lack be and get markers and can be either complements or modifiers
A. As complement in complex catenatives (intervening NP)
We had the documents checked by a lawyer.???
B. as modifier
Function in the structure of NPs
We want a house built after 1960

Question 15

Adjectival passives

Answer 15

Ambiguous readings
Her leg was broken.
A. Passive = act of being broken
B. complex-intransitive = state of being broken (replace with sore)
They were married
A. Passive = act of getting married
B. complex-intransitive = state resulting from prior event

Key syntactic difference is that adjectival passive can occur with complex-intransitive verbs other than be.
Ex. Her leg felt broken. They stayed married.