Basic English Grammar with Exercises

Exercise 9

In sentence (1d) the main verb think takes two arguments: an experiencer, which
occupies the specifier of the vP and a theme, which is a CP occupying the specifier of
the VP. Since CPs avoid Case positions and the specifier of the VP is a Case position,
the CP moves rightwards and adjoins to the VP. In the middle CP, the verb like selects
for two arguments: an experiencer occupying the specifier of the vP and a theme
occupying the specifier of the VP. The CP argument of the verb like moves rightwards
in order to avoid the Case position. It adjoins to the VP. In the lowest clause, the verb
dance takes only one argument: an agent in the specifier of the vP. The PP with which
girl is an adjunct since it is not required by the verb dance. The agent argument is a
PRO since it is unpronounced but has an independent thematic role. The DP which girl
is a wh-expression which has to move to the specifier of a CP with a [+Wh] feature. So
the DP moves first to the specifier of the lowest CP. Since the C head has a [–Wh]
feature, it has to move on to the specifier of the next CP. This again has a [–Wh]
feature, so the DP cannot stay there. It moves on to the specifier of the upper CP. The
head of the upper CP has a [+Wh] feature, so the DP can stay in that position. The
[+Wh feature] of the C head attracts the I head as well. Since the thematic verb cannot
move above the subject, dummy do is inserted into C.

(6) CP

DP 10 C'

which girlC IP

do DP 1 I'

you I vP

think 3 t 1 v'

v vP

t 3 v'

v VP

t 3 VP (CP 4 )

t 4 V'

V

t 3