Predication, verb movement and the distribution of expletives

Abstract

This paper argues that predication theory is instrumental in capturing the distribution of expletives. (i) In interaction with well-known verb movement parameters, predication theory explains why not all languages have transitive expletive constructions. Conditions on the assignment of external thematic roles have the effect that the functional domain of a clause is only large enough to host both an expletive and a subject if the verb undergoes verb second as well as V to I. (ii) On the assumption that sufficiently rich inflection is argumental, predication theory also provides a trigger for V to I. It is argued that, after verb movement, I can be interpreted as VP's subject. This explains why rich inflection blocks expletive insertion within the verb's predicational domain. (iii) Finally, predication theory forces an analysis of NP raising as predicate formation. As a result, NP raising is optional in many languages, even if no expletive is inserted.