Linguistics 322

Exercise 7

Download the latest version of the grammar (same name, same location--newer version.) Generate the following sentences:

had eaten two fresh bananas

was baking some spicy bread.

was (sic!) read few interesting books.

This section is delayed.

Draw a tree diagram showing the derivation of

(1)   "Has the woman been talking to the class?"

(Hint: the PP is immediately dominated by V2 and the external by V3 = VP.) [for credit]

 

(2)   "The prof asked if the students are standing." [no credit, but must be completed.]

(3)   "Read the book!" [no credit, but must be completed.]

indicating agreement currently covered, and copying features. Be sure to include any links that may occur. Draw each step indicating which rule has been applied in the first sentence. for the third example.

Draw a tree diagram for the following sentence. Here you are being tested on your ability to use your knowledge to go one step further into syntax without being lectured on it. You may want to refer to your 222 notes. Note: try this one on Grammar 2 for the NP:

(4)   "John drank a cup of tea." [credit]

 

This exercise is an exercise in your ability to solve problems. You now have enough tools at hand to solve the following problem. It is important that you do these, as there will be at least one of these on the final exam.

Compare the following VP and its related NP:

1. construct the castle (They constructed the castle.)

2. (the) construction of the castle.

The Logical structure (L-Structure) of 1. is "CONSTRUCT <goal: THE CASTLE>". Many linguists would argue that the L-structure of 2. is

CONSTRUCTION <goal: THE CASTLE>.

Let us suppose that they are correct. How would you derive 1. from the proposed L-structure? Defend your answer using what principles and what strategies that you know. Chomsky in (1981) claimed that only V and P ([-N]) assign Case. Don't be concerned here over the definite determiner. It is not related to anything in the verbal form. (Goal is a theta role referring to the final state of an object after it has been altered in some way.) (We have discussed all the tools necessary to complete this.) [credit]

Open up the following files and read them if you have not already done so:

 

Mood, negation, the feature strong, and argument assignment.

This page updated 29 JL 2001.