Covert Modality in Non-finite Contexts

Rajesh Bhatt

Published by De Gruyter Mouton 2006

Covert Modality in Non-finite Contexts

Rajesh Bhatt

Volume 8 in the series Interface Explorations [IE]

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110197341

Overview
Contents

About this book

This book investigates the distribution and interpretation of Covert Modality. Covert Modality is modality which we interpret but which is not associated with any lexical item in the structure that we are interpreting. This dissertation investigates a class of environments that involves covert modality. Examples of covert modality include wh-infinitival complements, infinitival relative clauses, purpose clauses, the 'have to' construction, and the 'is to' construction (cf. 1):

1a. Tim knows [how to solve the problem]. ("Tim knows how one/he could/should solve the problem.")
1b. Jane found [a book to draw cartoons in] for Sara. ("Jane found a book for Sara one could/should draw cartoons in.")
1c. [The man to fix the sink] is here. ("The man whose purpose is to fix the sink is here.")
1d. Sue went to Torino [to buy a violin]. ("Sue went to Torino so that she could buy a violin.")
1e. Bill has to reach Philadelphia before noon. ("Bill must reach Philadelphia before noon.")
1f. Will is to leave tomorrow. ("Will is scheduled/supposed to leave tomorrow.")

The interpretation of (1a-f) involves modality; however, there is no lexical item that seems to be the source of the modality. What (1a-f) have in common is that they involve infinitivals. This book addresses the following questions about covert modality: what is the source of this modality, what are its semantic properties, why are some but not all infinitival relatives modal, and why are all infinitival questions modal? The infinitival [+wh] Complementizer is identified as the source of the covert modality. The apparent variability of the force of this modality is related to the particular semantics of this Complementizer. Infinitival relatives that receive a non-modal interpretation are analyzed as being reduced relatives and thus not involving the infinitival [+wh] Complementizer.

Author / Editor information

Rajesh Bhatt, University of Texas at Austin, Texas, USA.

Topics

Frontmatter Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	i
Contents Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	v
Chapter 1. Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Chapter 2. The syntax of infinitival relatives Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	9
Chapter 3. Non-Modal subject infinitival relatives Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	41
Chapter 4. Infinitival questions Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	101
Chapter 5. Ability modals and their actuality entailments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	159
Backmatter Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	177

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter Mouton
Audience: Libraries (Linguistics), Linguists working on the Syntax of English, Hindi, and Greek.
Pages
- Front matter: 8
- Main content: 204
Keywords: Syntax; Modality; Semantics

eBook

Published: August 22, 2008
ISBN: 9783110197341

Hardcover

Published: December 18, 2006
ISBN: 9783110179521