Conclusions

Abstract

Abstract Verbal particles, independent or affixal, are numerous and cross-linguistically pervasive. Their distribution and placement are subject to constraints, a proper understanding of which yields insight into the structure of various secondary predicative constructions. Starting out from a detailed analysis of the properties of complex particle constructions, this study has brought forth accounts of triadic constructions and Dative Shift, and the relationship between dative and transitive causative constructions, all of them built on the basic structural template proposed for complex particle constructions. The foundations of this study are laid in chapter 2, in which the structure of constructions containing a verbal particle and an additional secondary predicate, illustrated in (1), is developed. The chapter is opened by presenting evidence for the two central tenets of the analysis, the view that particles are small clause (SC) predicates, and that the same holds for the boldface phrases in the examples in (1). Eliminating an analysis of complex particle constructions according to which the SCs projected by the boldface constituents are generated in the subject position of the particle headed SC (cf. Kayne 1985), chapter 2 proceeds to fleshing out an account built on the premise that the particles occurring in these constructions are unaccusativeSC heads, taking the additional SC as their complement, as in (2):