Focus constituency

Abstract

In this paper, the projection of focus from subject position in English sentences is discussed. It is argued that focus projection from the subject, like projection from the object, is mediated by structure, but that the structure pertinent to focus projection is not necessarily a surface articulation: Certain predicates permit formation of a subject-verb predicate complex that can serve as a focus constituent or mediate the projection of focus to the sentence level. As in the case of focus projection from an accented object, the focus domain is therefore underdetermined: Subject accent can signify narrow argument focus, focus at the sentence level (thetic interpretation), or focus on the subject-verb unit. The capacity of a predicate to combine with the subject in a predicate complex depends on the flexibility it admits with regard to event view, or the speaker's perspective on the event he is depicting.