Aspects of Verbs and Semantics of Resultative Constructions

This paper aims to examine how aspects of verbs and semantics of resultative constructions (RCs) interact with each other. Slightly modifying classification of verbs by Vendler (1957), Dowty (1979), and Smith (1991, 1999), this paper classifies aspects of verbs into state, activity, accomplishment, achievement, and (repeated) semelfactive. RCs are divided into intransitive and canonical transitive RCs and fake transitive RCs. A fake transitive RC, in which the verb (usually intransitive) takes an unsubcategorized object, can be used iff a resultative phrase (RP) represents (1) a result of an unexpectedly long continuation of the event denoted by the verb, and (2) one that cannot be expected from the "intrinsic path" of the event. This condition is called the "Unexpectedness Condition (UC) for an Unsubcategorized Object in an RC." In an intransitive or a canonical transitive RC, the verbal subevent is activity, accomplishment, repeated semelfactive, or achievement. On the other hand, in a fake transitive RC, the verbal subevent is activity or repeated semelfactive, both of which are durative and atelic. The present study will reveal that the choice of aspectual features in each RC type is closely related to the semantics of the RP in each RC.