Predication vs. aboutness in copy raising

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Abstract

Copy raising sentences (Charlie looks like his prospects are bright) are ambiguous between a thematic and a nonthematic reading for the subject, corresponding to whether or not it is the perceptual source. On the basis of Hebrew and English data, this paper motivates a novel generalization: a pronominal copy in the complement is necessary if and only if the matrix subject is not thematic. This follows if (i) a nonthematic DP must be licensed by predication, (ii) the clausal complement is turned into a predicate by merging with a null operator, and (iii) the pronominal copy is the variable required by the operator. Contra previous analyses, I argue that the complement in copy raising may be propositional, forming an "aboutness" relation with the subject. When it is predicative, however, a null operator is necessary, since CPs are not natural predicates. The dichotomy between propositional and predicative CPs cuts across the gap/copy distinction, and is manifested in other constructions, also discussed (hanging topic vs. left dislocation, rationale vs. purpose clauses, and proleptic object constructions).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)779-813
Number of pages35
JournalNatural Language and Linguistic Theory
Volume29
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Aug 2011

Keywords

  • Copy raising
  • Null operator
  • Perception verbs
  • Predication

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Language and Linguistics
  • Linguistics and Language

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