Abstract
This paper claims that the underlying class of weak definites is possessive weak definites, not non-possessive weak definites. Furthermore, under the framework of Pustejovsky (1995), this paper argues that the argument accompanied by possessive weak definites is a default argument. Thus, the default argument of the possessive weak definite should be represented in the qualia structure, not in the argument structure. Extending the analysis of possessive weak definites to non-possessive weak definites, this paper assumes that non-possessive weak definites have a default argument which is logically expressed but is syntactically optional. The differences found between possessive weak definites and non-possessive weak definites are attributed to the fact that the former has a nominal default argument expressed by the constitutive quale while the latter has an eventive default argument expressed by the telic quale.
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More From: The Journal of Modern British and American Language and Literature
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