Thematic Relations

Question 0

Author

Answer 0

Like Agent but not direct cause of the action

Question 1

Agent

Answer 1

Initiator of the action AND capable of volition (e.g. Bill ate his soup quietly)

Question 2

Patient

Answer 2

undergoes the action and changes its state (e.g., The falling rocks crushed the car.). (Sometimes used interchangeably with theme.)

Question 3

Theme

Answer 3

undergoes the action but does not change its state or whose location is described
(e.g. We believe in one God. I have two children. I put the book on the table. He gave the gun to the police officer.)
(Sometimes used interchangeably with patient.)

Question 4

Experiencer

Answer 4

the entity that receives sensory or emotional input (e.g. Susan heard the song. I cried)

Question 5

Instrument

Answer 5

Means used to carry out the action (e.g., Jamie cut the ribbon with a pair of scissors.).

Question 6

Force or Natural Cause

Answer 6

mindlessly performs the action (e.g., An avalanche destroyed the ancient temple)

Question 7

Location

Answer 7

where the action occurs (e.g., Johnny and Linda played carelessly in the park. I’ll be at Julie’s house studying for my test)

Question 8

Direction or Goal

Answer 8

Entity/place the action is directed towards (e.g., The caravan continued on toward the distant oasis. He walked to school)

Question 9

Recipient

Answer 9

a special kind of goal associated with verbs expressing a change in ownership, possession. (E.g., I sent John the letter. He gave the book to her)

Question 10

Source or Origin

Answer 10

where the action originated (e.g., The rocket was launched from Central Command. She walked away from him)

Question 11

Time

Answer 11

the time at which the action occurs (e.g., The rocket was launched yesterday)

Question 12

Beneficiary

Answer 12

the entity for whose benefit the action occurs (e.g.. I baked Reggie a cake. He built a car for me. I fight for the king)

Question 13

Manner

Answer 13

the way in which an action is carried out (e.g., With great urgency, Tabitha phoned 911)

Question 14

Purpose

Answer 14

Contextual end points of predications, the reason for which an action is performed (e.g., Tabitha phoned 911 right away in order to get some help)

Question 15

Cause

Answer 15

what caused the action to occur in the first place; not for what, rather because of what (e.g., Because Clyde was hungry, he ate the cake)

Question 16

Proposition

Answer 16

A concept or idea, usually encoded as a CP that is believed, the object of belief or knowledge or some other attitude