earticle

영어

This study has made investigation into small clauses. The main findings are as follows: First, a full clause and a reduced small clause have a common feature in that both of them have a predication relation, but they also have syntactic and semantic differences. Second, there are some theories which deal with small clauses, such as Predication Theory, Complex Predicate Theory, Small Clause Theory, etc. Predication Theory and Complex Predicate Theory argue against the existence of an autonomous structure for small clauses, but Small Clause Theory states that a small clause is a syntactic unit and, as such, possesses an intrinsic identity. Third, there is a claim that a small clause does not contain any functional category at all, but the claim that a small clause also has a functional category like a full clause seems to be more persuasive. Fourth, adjectival small clauses and bare verbal small clauses show differences in predication, subject position, topic, passivization, etc. Fifth, it has been found that in there-sentences, in some cases the post-copula NP and a predicate following it form a small clause or in other cases they create a NP. In conclusion, the proper syntactic treatment of small clauses remains a matter of considerable debate and complexity, but it seems to be desirable that we should regard a small clause as a syntactic unit with a predication relation and a functional category.