Semantic and Syntactic Factors in Control*
L. Michelle Cutrer
University of California, San Diego- Introduction
Control, where referential dependence is established between an overt
matrix element and an unexpressed argument of the lower clause, is a much
discussed issue in current linguistic literature. The best known examples of
control phenomena are cases of obligatory control of infinitival subjects in
sentences such as the following:
(1) a. John tried to leave.
b. John wanted to leave.
John promised Mary to leave.
d. John persuaded Mary to leave.
The task for a theory which seeks to account for control phenomena is
twofold: first, a theory should predict where a controlled element must and/
or may occur, i.e. what structures are control structures. Second, a theory
should predict which matrix NP is controller of the missing argument of the
complement clause.
This paper will present an analysis of control phenomena in English
within the framework of Role and Reference Grammar which seeks to
meet these criteria. Control relations will be accounted for by appealing to
three parameters: 1) the semantics of the matrix predicate, 2) the type and
tightness of clause linkage, and 3) pragmatic factors. The distribution of
control structures, i.e. which structures must and/or may be control struc
tures, will be accounted for in terms of the clause linkage conditions.
Where semantic factors fail to identify a unique controller, the analysis will
appeal to pragmatic factors: pragmatic factors will be shown to influence
controller choice in non-obligatory or arbitrary control structures.