The argument structure of evaluative adjectives

Evaluative adjectives permit an alternation between two control structures: a canonical subject control structure, where a matrix subject serves as the controller for an unexpressed subject argument in an embedded infinitival clause, and a sentential subject structure, where the controller surfaces as a genitive-marked argument of the adjective. These structures both instantiate an obligatory control interpretation, despite the non-local control configuration of the latter. A syntactic analysis demonstrates that the subject control structure projects control into an adjunct clause, and the source of the alternation, as well as various apparent raising-like behaviors, is attributed to the relatively simple argument structure of evaluative adjectives as compared to other more complex adjectives and their related forms.

Published online: 29 April 2010
https://doi.org/10.1075/la.154.10ker