Finite clauses
- Have one tensed verb
- This is always the first verb in a sequence
- Finite clauses must have a pronounced subject in standard registers of English
- Finite clauses can be main or subordinate
- S or S’
Non-finite clauses
- Have no tensed verbs
- A non-finite VP received a non-finite label (e.g. [bare])
- Often have unpronounceable subjects in English (Ø)
- Subordinate only
- S (with overt or empty subject)
- S’ (for… to… -clauses)
Verbs forms in non-finite clauses
- Bare infinitive (leave, clean)
- Passive participle (the problem solved, the theory proven)
- To infinitive (to leave)
- Ing-participle
Bare and passive are simple, to infinitives and -ing are complex non-finite clauses.
Object gap/by-phrase
In passive participle clauses, you can add a by-phrase, so there’s an object gap in the tree/sentence.
Albert wants [the problem solved *].
Albert wants [the problem solved by the police].
What kind of verb is “to”?
“To” is an infinitival participle that we will label V. It’s an auxiliary verb that is the non-finite syntactic equivalent of a modal auxiliary.
Like modal auxiliaries, “to” occupies the first position in a verb string:
• Celia expected [Rosalind to have eaten the cake].
-ing participle clauses (gerund)
These clauses have the progressive participle but without the progressive auxiliary “be”.
English finite clauses must…
They must display a pronounced subject.
It is uncertain [whether John will return].
It will be sunny tomorrow.
Pronounced vs. unpronounceable subject
Finite clauses must display a pronounced subject.
It is uncertain [whether John will return].
It will be sunny tomorrow.
In non-finite clauses, unpronounced (or empty) subjects are often observed.
Pronounced: John expects [Mary to return].
Unpronounced: John expects [Ø to return].
Empty subject in all non-finite clauses (bare inf, passive participle, to inf, -ing participle)
- Bare infinitives
All Lisa did was [Ø disguise herself]. - Passive participle
[Ø Beaten • twice that week], the boxer retired. - To infinitives
Watson hoped [Ø to unravel the truth]. - -ing participle
[Ø Having revealed her secret], Lisa felt relieved.
Controlled empty subjects
If the empty subject is referring to a NP somewhere in the larger sentence, then it’s controlled.
Mary was busy [Ø stuffing the turkey].
Watson hoped [Ø** to unravel the truth].
What’s it called when a controlled empty subject and its controller refer to the same thing?
Co-reference
Co-indexation
To show what is controlling the gap; we can use indices (little numbers or letters).
Non-controlled empty subjects
The empty subject receives a generic interpretation: arbitrary reference.
[Ø To err] is human.
[Ø Smoking in a pub] is illegal.
