Abstract
This paper analyzes certain restrictions on polarity focus marking in clauses embedded under emotive factive predicates. It argues that these restrictions arise because this configuration leads to a systematic presupposition failure in virtue of its focus value, which I call impossible presupposition. The main argument offered here supporting this approach involves some novel asymmetries with factive clauses in predicate doubling construction in Spanish. From a theoretical perspective, the larger agenda of this article is to provide new evidence that certain types of ungrammaticality are due to semantic-pragmatic factors, namely, logical triviality.
Highlights
In this paper, I explore the interplay between factivity and polarity focus, paying special attention to Spanish
This paper provides new evidence for the thesis that certain types of ungrammaticality are due to semantic-pragmatic factors, namely, logical triviality
If the analysis developed here is on the right track, one direct consequence is that other polarity focus constructions should be banned in clauses embedded under emotive factive predicates, even if they do not involve predicate doubling
Summary
I explore the interplay between factivity and polarity focus, paying special attention to Spanish. I analyze the impossibility of emotive factive predicates to embed polarity focus sentences. This pattern is illustrated in the following examples, which involve predicate doubling with polarity focus interpretation (1a), and polarity focus fronting (1b). The main argument offered here supporting this approach involves certain asymmetries with factive clauses in predicate doubling constructions. I show that this proposal can account for these asymmetries, but for the general restriction on polarity focus marking in clauses selected by emotive factive predicates.
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