Abstract
HAVE constructions allow for object NPs whose modifiers allow one to infer that the referent of the NP cannot stand in a possessive relationship with the referent of the subject, as in I have a missing tooth. Although it is generally held that the inalienability of the object NP plays a crucial role in this phenomenon, there exist examples which do not seem to be cases of inalienable possession. Taking recent psychological research into consideration, we argue that the interpretation in question arises as a consequence of the mechanism that underlies our subjective construal of the world, and show that apparently problematic data are given a cognitively motivated explanation.
