Lexical Constraints on the Formation of -er Nominals Derived from Intransitive Verbs

Wu Li-Li

doi:10.13189/lls.2019.070304

Abstract

The English suffix -er has long been considered as a morpho-syntactic diagnostic for split intransitivity since -er nominals are derived only from verbs that have external arguments. Therefore, the formation of an -er nominal derived from an intransitive verb should be based on an unergative verb (a verb that have an external argument) instead of an unaccusative one (a verb that have an internal argument). As split intransitivity is syntactically represented but semantically determined, the formation of -er nominals is actually semantically predictable. Two approaches in the literature, the projectionist and gradient approach, give a detailed explanation for the semantic constraints on determining a verb' argument as either external or internal. Compared with the projectionist approach, the gradient approach seems to offer a better account to predict some verbs are more consistent in forming an -er nominal while others exhibit variation.

Highlights

The split of intransitive verbs into unaccusatives and unergatives is called split intransitivity
Given the hypothesis that all -er nominals refer to the external argument of the base verb, it is hypothesized that the formation of an -er nominal should be based on an unergative verb instead of an unaccusative verb since the single argument of the former is external while the single argument of the latter is internal
This paper aims to examine the lexical constraints on the formation of -er nominals derived from intransitive verbs through a detailed account of the two approaches

Summary

Introduction

The split of intransitive verbs into unaccusatives and unergatives is called split intransitivity. The suffix -er is considered as a diagnostic of split intransitivity since -er nominals are derived only from verbs that have external arguments [3, 4, 5, 6]. The class membership of intransitive verbs and the syntactic expression of arguments, to some extent, can be predicted on the basis of lexical semantic properties of the verb. This paper aims to examine the lexical constraints on the formation of -er nominals derived from intransitive verbs through a detailed account of the two approaches. These two approaches, which impose different semantic constraints on the formation of -er nominals are illustrated in detail in the following part

The Projectionist Approach

The Gradient Approach

Discussion and Conclusions