Suggested Answers and Hints - Chapter 8The structure of sentence (1b) is quite similar to that in (1a). The main verb
assume, being a passive verb, takes only one argument, which is a clausal theme
argument in the specifier of the VP. The verb take in the lower clause is a multiple
complement verb, but since it is also passive, it takes only two arguments: a theme DP
Jane, which occupies the specifier position of the VP in the D-structure, and a goal
argument PP, which occupies the complement position of the verb. The main verb
adjoins to the passive morpheme in both clauses. The PP by taxi is an adjunct, since it
is not selected by the verb take as a complement. The theme DP Jane needs to be
assigned Case. The specifier of the vP, its base position, is not a Case position, since
the passive morpheme in v is not able to assign accusative Case. The DP moves to the
specifier of the IP, which is the first position where the DP has chance for receiving
Case. The head of the IP is non-finite, thus it cannot assign nominative Case to the DP
in its specifier position. Since the head of the vP dominating the specifier of the IP is a
passive morpheme, no accusative Case can be assigned to the DP either. The DP
moves on to the next possible Case position, which is the specifier of the next IP.
Since the I head is finite, it can assign nominative Case to the DP.
(4) CP
C'
C IP
DP 4 I'
Jane I vP
was 1 v'
v vP
t 1 v'
v VP
assume 2 +-en (IP) V'
V
t 2