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Matrix clause or infinitival clause?

English Language & Usage Asked by user300887 on April 21, 2021

What is the function of “the doctor” in the following sentences? Is it a constituent of the matrix clause or of the infinitival clause?

  1. I wanted the doctor to examine my daughter.
  2. I persuaded the doctor to examine my daughter.
  3. I expected the doctor to examine my daughter.
  4. I told the doctor to examine my daughter.
  5. I would hate for the doctor to examine my daughter.

One Answer

In a comment, John Lawler wrote:

In (2) and (4), the doctor functions as the indirect object of the matrix verb, and also as the subject of the infinitive; persuade and tell are B-Equi predicates.

In (1), (3), and (5), however, the doctor does not originate in the matrix clause; rather, in (1) and (3) it's a B-Raised subject of the infinitive; want and expect govern Raising, not Equi.

In (5), the doctor is the unraised subject of the infinitive, marked as such by the undeleted for complementizer.

Answered by tchrist on April 21, 2021

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