Abstract
Even when linearized after it, seem can take scope over the modal can, provided that a downward-entailing trigger is present locally. Downward-entailingness plays a key role in the scope reversal: seem takes scope not only over can, but also over the trigger, because it is a mobile positive polarity item, which has the ability to raise covertly above a potential anti-licenser. This movement permits aspectual configurations that are otherwise disallowed in the complement of seem.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Chomsky, N.: Minimalist inquiries: The framework. In: Martin, R., Michaels, D., Uriagereka, J. (eds.) Step by Step: Essays on Minimalist Syntax in Honor of Howard Lasnik, pp. 89–155. MIT Press, Cambridge (2000)
von Fintel, K., Iatridou, S.: Epistemic containment. Linguistic Inquiry 34, 173–198 (2003)
Gajewski, J.: Neg-raising: Polarity and presupposition. Ph.D. thesis. MIT, Cambridge (2005)
Homer, V.: Epistemic modals: High ma non troppo. In: Proceedings of NELS 40 (2010)
Homer, V.: Domains of polarity items. Journal of Semantics, under revision (2012a)
Homer, V.: Neg-raising and positive polarity: The view from modals. Ms., ENS (2012b)
Horn, L.: Remarks on neg-raising. Syntax and Semantics 9, 129–220 (1978)
Iatridou, S., Zeijlstra, H.: Modals, negation and polarity. Talk given at Glow Asia 8 (2010)
Israel, M.: Polarity sensitivity as lexical semantics. Linguistics and Philosophy 19, 619–666 (1996)
Jacobson, P.: I can’t seem to figure this out. In: Birner, B.J., Ward, G. (eds.) Drawing the Boundaries of Meaning: Neo-Gricean Studies in Pragmatics and Semantics in Honor of Laurence R. Horn. Studies in Language Companion Series, vol. 80. John Benjamins Publishing Company (2006)
Langendoen, D.T.: The ‘can’t seem to’ construction. Linguistic Inquiry 1(1), 25–35 (1970)
Sportiche, D.: Division of labor between Merge and Move. In: Proceedings of the Workshop Division of Linguistic Labor, the La Bretesche Workshop, pp. 206–285 (2005)
von Stechow, A.: The (non)-interpretation of subordinate tense. Talk given at Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (2009)
Stowell, T.: The tense of infinitives. Linguistic Inquiry 13, 561–570 (1982)
Wurmbrand, S.: Tense and aspect in English infinitives. Ms., University of Connecticut. Storrs (2011)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Homer, V. (2012). As Simple as It Seems. In: Aloni, M., Kimmelman, V., Roelofsen, F., Sassoon, G.W., Schulz, K., Westera, M. (eds) Logic, Language and Meaning. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 7218. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31482-7_36
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31482-7_36
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-31481-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-31482-7
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)