Snisarenko I. For to Vinf Construction in Middle English: Semantics and Functioning

The dissertation focuses on the analysis of semantic and functional peculiarities of For to Vinf- construction in Middle English, and subcategorization properties of the head verb within a finite/non-finite clause. The study is carried out from the generative syntax perspective, that of Government and Binding Theory. The For to Vinf- construction is considered as a reduced subordinate clause. It is characterized by its own implicit subject position (category PRO) and that of temporally unmarked verb (-Tense), i.e. infinitive. The For to Vinf-clause and that-clause in Middle English are semantically and functionally equivalent, which is revealed through both types of clauses equally complementing transitive verbs (except aspectualizers), as well as fulfilling identical semantic roles: Patient (for monotransitives) and Patient/Goal (for ditransitives). These clauses, while functioning as adverbial adjuncts of purpose, complete the sentence structurally and contentially. They can also be labelled as sentential complements