A Constructional Approach to the (Non-) Coreferentiality of the Logical Subject in the V-ing Complement with the Matrix Subject in English: With Special Reference to NP V V-ing*

抄録

The logical subject of the V-ing complement may or may not be coreferential with the matrix subject (e.g., She_i tried _i/*jhitting the escape key vs. The psychiatrist_i recommended _*i/jgetting away for a week). Theoretical studies have discussed how (non-) coreferentiality is best approached; however, adequate generalizations and explanations have not been proposed, especially for nontypical cases. For example, the verb prefer requires the coreferential reading alone in default use; nevertheless, data that may reflect the non-coreferential interpretation can be found. This paper employs Cognitive Construction Grammar to systematically and comprehensively explain the (non-) coreferentiality: The expression of the (non-) coreferentiality is sanctioned by the construction and triggered by semantic compatibility between the construction and its matrix verb or information structure. This sanction may occur through lower-level constructions (e.g., the verb (-class)-specific constructions) or higher-level constructions that do not specify the matrix verb. The lower-level constructions may serve to sanction nontypical expressions. Notably, the higher-level construction sanctions not only nontypical novel expressions but also nontypical, non-novel expressions. This suggests that constructions emerge dynamically, which is compatible with the usage-based view. The present study provides a new perspective on the functions of higher-level constructions and a new explanatory framework for the (non-) coreferentiality of the V-ing complement in English.