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Abstract Abstract: In the light of the phase extension theory put forward by den Dikken, this study investigates the derivational mechanism of typical embedded small clauses in English and Chinese. We propose that English and Chinese typical embedded small clauses are RP phases headed by a relator (R). The subject and the predicate of the small clause form the agreement relationship. The subject NP is theta-marked by the predicate, and its uninterpretable case feature is valued by the matrix verb. According to the presence or absence of R’s affix feature, we can explain the passivized movement inconsistency of subjects of different types of small clauses in ECM and resultative constructions. This feature triggers R of verbal small clauses in ECM constructions to move to the position of matrix verb, causing the phase extension. The small clause RP loses its phasehood, and VP becomes a new phase. The subject is not at the edge of phase, and thus it cannot be moved out in passivization. Whereas, the head R in nominal, adjectival and prepositional small clauses does not have the affix feature, there is no phase extension, and thus the subject of the small clause can be moved out in passivization. The proposed analysis can also be extended to the small clauses in raising constructions.
Key words: phase; small clause; derivational mechanism; relator
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