Exercise 3e Has John ever been caught in the act?
passivisation and subject–auxiliary inversion (yes–no question)
D-structure before passivisation: [e] has ever been caught [DP John] in the act
D-structure after passivisation but before subject–auxiliary inversion:
[e] John 1 has ever been caught t 1 in the act
S-structure: has 2 John 1 t 2 ever been caught t 1 in the actf A proposal has been handed in for the educational reform.
passivisation and extraposition
D-structure before passivisation:
[e] has been handed in [DP a proposal for the educational reform]
D-structure after passivisation but before extraposition:
a proposal for the educational reform 1 has been handed in t 1
S-structure: [a proposal t 2 ] 1 has been handed in t 1 for the educational reform 2Exercise 3
If an adverb can be placed between the auxiliary and the main verb, it is a VP adverb.
If it precedes the modal auxiliary, it is a sentential adverb.
a The sentence can be reformulated in the following way: It was a clever thing
that Agatha answered the question (no matter whether the answer was correct
or not).
sentential adverb
b Ron may hardly go to the cinema.
*Ron hardly may go to the cinema.
VP adverb
c Suddenly, she may burst into tears.
sentential adverb
d Agatha may cleverly answer the question.
The sentence can be reformulated in the following way: Agatha’s answer to
the question was correct. (In fact, with a special intonational pattern, with a
pause before and after cleverly and also stress on the adverb there is a
sentential adverb interpretation avaliable, too. However, in writing this is
indicated by commas preceding and following the adverb.)
VP adverb
e It is certain that they will go to America for holiday.
sentential adverb
f The student has thoroughly rewritten her thesis.
*The student thoroughly has rewritten her thesis.
VP adverb
g The king should often visit the neighbouring countries.
*The king often should visit the neighbouring countries.
VP adverb