Abstract
The Spanish counterpart of English go shows apparently suppletive forms as follows. The alternation between v-, f- and i- seems not to be phonological. We can call it 'suppletion' as long as we recognize that doing so leaves questions open that we need to try to answer. In this paper, I will focus on the forms in f-. A familiar way of talking about the f- in question would be to say that it is inserted (late) as a realization of Spanish go in the context of preterite or imperfect subjunctive (or of what the preterite and the imperfect subjunctive have in common). I will, instead, try to throw some light on the identity of preterite and imperfect subjunctive forms across Spanish go and be by bringing in additional considerations that have nothing directly to do with verb morphology.
Highlights
How not to proceedA familiar way of talking about the f- in question would be to say that it is inserted (late) as a realization of Spanish go in the context of preterite or imperfect subjunctive (or of what the preterite and the imperfect subjunctive have in common)
The Spanish counterpart of English go shows apparently suppletive forms as follows
It would miss the generalization that the f-initial forms for Spanish go are identical to the preterite and imperfect subjunctive forms of Spanish ser (‘be’).5 (Nor, it seems to me, would there be much insight to be gained by stating that Spanish go and be are syncretic in the preterite and in the imperfect subjunctive.)
Summary
A familiar way of talking about the f- in question would be to say that it is inserted (late) as a realization of Spanish go in the context of preterite or imperfect subjunctive (or of what the preterite and the imperfect subjunctive have in common). This would at first glance ‘get the facts’, though not in an ambitious way. The obvious proposal is that (8) contains a verb that is compatible with directional PPs, the simplest such verb presumably being go. Given Collins’s proposal in (11), the presence of directional to Paris in (8) forces (8) to contain GO
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
