Basic English Grammar with Exercises

Suggested Answers and Hints - Chapter 5

h Norah knows Nick.

experiencer and theme arguments

 transitive

vP

DP v'

Norah v VP

know 1 v DP V'

e Nick V

t 1

i The boat sank.

patient argument

*There sank the boat.

*In the Atlantic sank the boat.

The pirates sank the boat.

 ergative verb

VP

DP V'

the boat V

sink

j A letter lay on the table.

theme argument

There lay a train on the table.

On the table a letter lay.

On the table there lay a letter.

 unaccusative

VP

DP V'

a letter V PP

lie on the table