Anti-reconstruction effects: How complex are complex predicates?

Susi Wurmbrand, University of Connecticut

Abstract:

In Wurmbrand & Bobaljik (2003) we argue that the lack of an expected scope ambiguity in a particular class of restructuring contexts across languages is systematic, and we propose an analysis which treats the phenomenon as an “anti-reconstruction effect”. We posit that NP objects originating in the VP-complement of a restructuring verb undergo movement to the domain of the embedding verb and are subsequently barred from undergoing scope reconstruction to their base position. The goal of this talk is to defend this characterization of the puzzle against conceivable alternatives invoking complex predicates, both base-generated and derived.