Basic English Syntax with Exercises

Suggested Answers for Check Questions

There is evidence semantic in nature: the structure is interpreted as causative, i.e. there is an agent ‘causer’ argument present that picks up the theta role assigned by the abstract (empty) light verb head. In languages other than English there may actually be found overt counterparts of this abstract causative verbal head, e.g. in Hungarian there is one such morpheme, -ít.