9 - Non-finite and semi-finite verb phrases

Summary

Introduction

If a VP merges with an infinitival suffix instead of a finite Tense, the resulting infinitival phrase can assume the role of a complement or adjunct in a matrix clause. If the subject of the infinitive is controlled by an argument of the matrix predicate, it is represented by a caseless PRO. If, on the other hand, the matrix predicate has no argument, and therefore cannot provide an adequate controller, the infinitive has a case-marked subject represented by a lexical noun phrase or a pro(noun), and it also bears an agreement marker. Infinitival phrases – whether agreeing or non-agreeing – can merge with the same types of operators that can extend a finite VP into a predicate phrase, and they can also combine with topic phrases into a TopP. Or, alternatively, both types of infinitives can be unified with their matrix V into a complex predicate.

Subject and object control constructions

Subject and object control verbs

A number of Hungarian verbs, among them those listed under (1a, b), are marked in the lexicon as selecting an infinitival phrase with a phonologically empty PRO subject controlled by the matrix subject.