Null tense
Sept. 19, 2012 – Day 10
Introduction to Syntax
ANTH 3590/7590
Harry Howard
Tulane University
COURSE MANAGEMENT
http://www.tulane.edu/~howard/ANTH3590/
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ANTH3590/7590, Harry Howard, Tulane
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Null auxiliaries
ANTH3590/7590, Harry Howard, Tulane
REVIEW
THE ARGUMENT
The data


He could have helped her, or she have helped him.
(15)
*He could have helped her, or she’ve helped him. (18)
ANTH3590/7590, Harry Howard, Tulane
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The conclusion

[TP she [T’ could [VP have helped him]]]
4
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ANTH3590/7590, Harry Howard, Tulane
§3.4 NULL T IN FINITE
CLAUSES
NULL AUX > NULL T
Hypothesis: All finite clauses are TPs headed by
an overt or null T constituent, which is the locus
of the tense properties of a clause.
PRN
she
ANTH3590/7590, Harry Howard, Tulane
TP
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
TP
PRN
she
T’
T
does
VP
T’
T
VP
Af3sPres
V
enjoy
NP
syntax
V
enjoy
6
NP
syntax
AFFIX HOPPING
Remember what we said about semantic and
phonological components.
ANTH3590/7590, Harry Howard, Tulane
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At PF, an unattached affix Af is lowered onto the
head of the complement of the constituent that
contains Af. (#26)
TP
PRN
she
TP
PRN
she
T’
T
does
VP
T’
T
VP
Af3sPres
V
enjoy
NP
syntax
V
enjoy
NP
syntax
7
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ANTH3590/7590, Harry Howard, Tulane
§3.5 NULL T IN INFINITIVE
CLAUSES
HYPOTHESIS
ANTH3590/7590, Harry Howard, Tulane
PRN
T’
All finite &
she
infinitival clauses
are TPs headed by
T
Af3sPres
an overt or null T
constituent.
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TP
VP
V
want
TP
PRN
PRO
T’
T
to
VP
V
enjoy
NP
syntax
9
BARE INFINITIVES
Bare infinitives, #33, must have a null T
a)
c)

Some have counterparts with to
a.
b.

Some had counterparts with to
a.
b.

Tom has never been known [to criticize anyone]
Senator Sleaze was seen [to leave Benny’s Bunny Bar]
I saw [her coral lips to move] (Shakespeare)
What would you have me to do? “
ANTH3590/7590, Harry Howard, Tulane
b)
#I have never known [Tom criticise anyone]
A reporter saw [Senator Sleaze leave Benn’s Bunny Bar]
You mustn’t let [the pressure get to you]
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Contraction/cliticization
a.
b.
I can’t let you have my passport.
*I can’t let you’ve my passport.
10
You must let [Mary enjoy syntax]
TP
PRN
you
T’
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VP
V
let
ANTH3590/7590, Harry Howard, Tulane
T
must
TP
PRN
Mary
T’
T
to
VP
V
enjoy
NP
syntax
11
NOTE TO SELF
There was enough time left over to continue on to
null C.
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ANTH3590/7590, Harry Howard, Tulane
12
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13
MIN = 5.0
AVG = 7.9
MAX = 10.0
ANTH3590/7590, Harry Howard, Tulane
Q2
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§3.6 Null complementizers
14
ANTH3590/7590, Harry Howard, Tulane
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