Adjuncts show paradoxical properties, especially when they are to the left of a verb. They behave as if they were higher in the structure than the other constituents to their right with respect to c-command while, according to various constituency tests, they are lower than the ones to their right. This paper aims to formulate a definition of c-command which can give a descriptively adequate account of this peculiar behavior of adjuncts. Specifically, this paper proposes that the notion of licensing and a phase be incorporated into the definition of c-command.
Adjuncts and C-Command
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Paradoxical behavior of adjuncts
3. Revised definition of c-command
4. Empirical application of the revised definition of c-command
6. Summary and implications
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