6 Predicates, Arguments and Thematic Roles

In this chapter we will be concerned with an area of grammar where syntax

interacts with semantics.

6.1 Predicates and Arguments

Up to now, we have described each sentence of English in two separate

ways: functionally and formally. Consider (1) below:

(1) The crocodile devoured a doughnut.

This sentence consists of a Subject (the crocodile), a Predicator (devoured )

and a Direct Object (a doughnut). Both the Subject and Direct Object are

realised by Noun Phrases, whereas the Predicator is realised by a verb.

Let us now consider (1) from a different angle. Notice that the verb devour

cannot form a sentence on its own: it requires the presence of other elements

to form a meaningful proposition. As will be clear from (2) and (3) below,

devour requires that it be specified who was engaged in the act of devouring

something, and what it was that was being devoured.

(2) *Devoured a doughnut.

(3) *The crocodile devoured.

In (2) there is no Subject, whereas (3) lacks a Direct Object. Both situations

lead to ungrammaticality. We will refer to elements that require the

specification of the participants in the proposition expressed as predicates

(e.g. devour), and we will refer to the participants themselves as arguments

(the crocodile, a doughnut).

Below you will find some further examples of sentences containing

argument-taking predicates. Each time the predicates are in bold type and the arguments are in italics.

(4) Henry smiled.

(5) The police investigated the allegation.

(6) Sara gave [Pete] [a parcel ].

(7) Melany bet [Brian] [a pound] [that he would lose the game of squash].

Sentence (4) is a predicate that takes only one argument. We will call such

predicates one-place predicates (or monadic predicates). (5) is like (1) above: