The Interpretation of Tense and Aspect in Argument Small Clauses in English

Abstract

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.