Scribd
Upload
8 views8 pages

Auxiliary VPs and Adverbials

The document discusses the interaction between adverbials and auxiliary verb phrases (VPs), highlighting how adverbials can modify VPs and their placement within sentences. It presents assumptions about adverbials preceding verbs and their role in modifying higher VPs or lexical VPs, with examples illustrating these concepts. Additionally, it addresses the specific behavior of time adverbials in relation to VPs.

Uploaded by

Fatima Noor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
8 views8 pages

Auxiliary VPs and Adverbials

The document discusses the interaction between adverbials and auxiliary verb phrases (VPs), highlighting how adverbials can modify VPs and their placement within sentences. It presents assumptions about adverbials preceding verbs and their role in modifying higher VPs or lexical VPs, with examples illustrating these concepts. Additionally, it addresses the specific behavior of time adverbials in relation to VPs.

Uploaded by

Fatima Noor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 8

Auxiliary VPs and

Adverbials

Presented By: Fatima Noor

Presented To: Dr. Shafqat


How do adverbials interact with auxiliary
VPs?

– Adverbials can occur between verbs.


– Can follow first auxiliary
– Example: You are deliberately missing the point
– Can follow two auxiliaries, preceding lexical verb
– Example: Matilda had been quietly reading Simon a story.
Assumption 1

 If an adverbial precedes a
verb, assume it modifies
the following VP.
 Adverbial + VP = Higher VP
How do adverbials interact with auxiliary
VPs?
He just might pass. He might just pass.
Modifies the MOD VP, might pass. Modifies the lexical VP.
‘it’s just possible he will pass’. ‘it’s possible he will just pass’
Assumption 2

 Sentence-final adverbials
modify (and form a VP
constituent with) the
lexical VP.
 Exception: Certain time
adverbials.
They have been complaining for the fun of
it
PERF • Have been
VP complaining

• Been – Adverbial PP is appeared at the end of


PROG
VP complaining a sentence containing auxiliary VPs

LEXICAL •
Complaining
VP
Time Adverbials

Modifies higher PROG VP

– Kim and Peter are going to India next week now.

PROG Be Modifies present intentions


(present form) LEXICAL VP
Two Time Adverbials:
 next week as modifying the
lexical VP
 past time adverbial last week
as modifying the past tense
PROG VP

They were going to India next week last week.

You might also like