Present tense in relative clauses as evidence for sequence of tense in French

Atle Grønn

doi:10.5617/osla.8907

Abstract

The paper accounts for an unexpected embedded present tense, which denotes a future time in French relative clauses. The matrix displays either the periphrastic future or the simple future. In both cases, one can arguably decompose the matrix into a present tense feature and a forward shifter. This move leads to an analysis of the morphology encountered in the relative clause as an instance of Sequence of tense.

Highlights

The paper accounts for an unexpected embedded present tense, which denotes a future time in French relative clauses
I will argue that the present tense morphology in the relative clauses below should be explained as a case of Sequence of tense (SOT)
I think it is uncontroversial that the present tense in the relative clauses need not refer to the utterance time, but is plausibly referring to the future time of the marriage atle grønn reported in the matrix

Summary

Introduction

I will argue that the present tense morphology in the relative clauses below (from a Google search) should be explained as a case of Sequence of tense (SOT). The paper accounts for an unexpected embedded present tense, which denotes a future time in French relative clauses.

Results

Conclusion