In this paper the interelation between tense and lexical aspect
(aktionsart) in argument small clauses (SCs) is studied from a minimalist
point of view. I will claim that Asp(ect) and T(ense) are present in the
derivation of SCs. Any predicate is given a particular aspectual feature
in the Lexicon, which may be [-/+ perfective], according to whether it
expresses a state of affairs or a change of state respectively. Different
temporal readings can be found in SCs, which depends crucially on the
matrix verb’s aspectual selection of the SC predicate. In minimalist
terms, I will assert that T is aspectually neutral, but it may be perfectivised
or imperfectivised depending on the feature sheltered under Asp. I propose
that Asp moves to adjoin to T before Spell-Out, making it perfective
or imperfective. In the domain of the complex category [Asp T] the
SC predicate checks its aspectual feature at LF.
