Principles of Argument Structure (Excerpt 4: Collins 2005 vs Bruening 2013)

  To summarize the discussion, we have the following two theories and their properties:

(5) Collins 2005a (see also Angelopoulos et. al. 2020):

a. Principles: Theta-Criterion/Argument Criterion

b. Prediction: Implicit arguments are syntactically projected.

c. Empirical support: distribution of reflexives, reciprocals, pronouns, Helke expressions and secondary predicates in the short passive in English.

(6) Bruening 2013 (see also Legate 2014 and Alexiadou et. al. 2015):

a. Principles: No Theta-Criterion/Argument Criterion, only formal semantics

b. Prediction: Implicit arguments are not syntactically projected.

c. Empirical problems: distribution of reflexives, reciprocals, pronouns, Helke expressions and secondary predicates in the short passive in English.