--1 The construction of verb phrases abstract Verb = Cat ** { --2 Complementization rules -- Verb phrases are constructed from verbs by providing their -- complements. There is one rule for each verb category. fun UseV : V -> VP ; -- sleep ComplV2 : V2 -> NP -> VP ; -- use it ComplV3 : V3 -> NP -> NP -> VP ; -- send a message to her ComplVV : VV -> VP -> VP ; -- want to run ComplVS : VS -> S -> VP ; -- know that she runs ComplVQ : VQ -> QS -> VP ; -- ask if she runs ComplVA : VA -> AP -> VP ; -- look red ComplV2A : V2A -> NP -> AP -> VP ; -- paint the house red --2 Other ways of forming verb phrases -- Verb phrases can also be constructed reflexively and from -- copula-preceded complements. ReflV2 : V2 -> VP ; -- use itself UseComp : Comp -> VP ; -- be warm -- Passivization of two-place verbs is another way to use -- them. In many languages, the result is a participle that -- is used as complement to a copula ("is used"), but other -- auxiliary verbs are possible (Ger. "wird angewendet", It. -- "viene usato"), as well as special verb forms (Fin. "käytetään", -- Swe. "används"). -- -- *Note*. the rule can be overgenerating, since the $V2$ need not -- take a direct object. PassV2 : V2 -> VP ; -- be used -- Adverbs can be added to verb phrases. Many languages make -- a distinction between adverbs that are attached in the end -- vs. next to (or before) the verb. AdvVP : VP -> Adv -> VP ; -- sleep here AdVVP : AdV -> VP -> VP ; -- always sleep -- *Agents of passives* are constructed as adverbs with the -- preposition [Structural Structural.html]$.8agent_Prep$. --2 Complements to copula -- Adjectival phrases, noun phrases, and adverbs can be used. CompAP : AP -> Comp ; -- (be) small CompNP : NP -> Comp ; -- (be) a soldier CompAdv : Adv -> Comp ; -- (be) here --2 Coercions -- Verbs can change subcategorization patterns in systematic ways, -- but this is very much language-dependent. The following two -- work in all the languages we cover. UseVQ : VQ -> V2 ; -- ask (a question) UseVS : VS -> V2 ; -- know (a secret) }