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Abstract Abstract: This paper discusses the limitations of the previous approaches to the Case assignment and syntactic mechanism of English expletive there-constructions, and proposes an applicative analysis to solve the problem. It is suggested that the locative expression is introduced by the applicative head. In the derivation, the expletive there is assigned nominative Case by the tensed T head, and the associate is assigned accusative Case by the applicative head. Our analysis can account for the syntactic phenomena of theta-role assignment, agreement relation, Case assignment as well as the syntactic status of the locative expression in English expletive there-constructions, indicating that English expletive there-constructions comply with the Universal Grammar theories, namely Unaccusative Hypothesis, Theta-Criterion and Case Theory.
Key words: English expletive there-constructions; applicative constructions; case assignment; locative expression
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