This paper delves into some properties of the so-called bare-NP adverbs in the sense of Larson (1985). As a first approximation, I contrast adverbs from adverbials and propose that the bare-NP adverbs should be dubbed as bare-NP adverbials (BNPAs, hereafter). As BNPAs are formed with P left out, there arise three theory-internal issues in terms of argumenthood, ɵ-role assignment, and Case assignment. First of all, I argue that BNPAs be a semantic argument in the spirit of Kang (2018), where BNPAs are alleged to be an adjunct. Even though BNPAs are optional for syntactic well-formedness, they should be treated as such due to their contribution to the propositional meaning of the predicate in terms of time, place, direction, and manner. Second, BNPAs are assigned a thematic role, as opposed to a ɵ-role assigned to a syntactic argument in the so-called A position in generative syntax, due to the fact that they are treated as a semantic argument. Finally, BNPAs are assigned inherent Case in thematic relation with the predicate. Inherent Case assignment is made possible as P is incorporated into N in the sense of Baker (1988). P-incorporation is triggered only when the head noun of BNPAs is marked by what I propose as an unmarked feature [+uF]. I call the head noun N with [+uF] an ‘adverbial noun’ in contrast to a ‘non-adverbial noun’ with [+F].
This paper delves into some properties of the so-called bare-NP adverbs in the sense of Larson (1985). As a first approximation, I contrast adverbs from adverbials and propose that the bare-NP adverbs should be dubbed as bare-NP adverbials (BNPAs, hereafter). As BNPAs are formed with P left out, there arise three theory-internal issues in terms of argumenthood, ɵ-role assignment, and Case assignment. First of all, I argue that BNPAs be a semantic argument in the spirit of Kang (2018), where BNPAs are alleged to be an adjunct. Even though BNPAs are optional for syntactic well-formedness, they should be treated as such due to their contribution to the propositional meaning of the predicate in terms of time, place, direction, and manner. Second, BNPAs are assigned a thematic role, as opposed to a ɵ-role assigned to a syntactic argument in the so-called A position in generative syntax, due to the fact that they are treated as a semantic argument. Finally, BNPAs are assigned inherent Case in thematic relation with the predicate. Inherent Case assignment is made possible as P is incorporated into N in the sense of Baker (1988). P-incorporation is triggered only when the head noun of BNPAs is marked by what I propose as an unmarked feature [+uF]. I call the head noun N with [+uF] an ‘adverbial noun’ in contrast to a ‘non-adverbial noun’ with [+F].
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