On the Nature of Middle Verbs and Middle Constructions

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2015.12.005

Abstract

Abstract: Middle constructions are a well-studied topic in linguistics. Based on a summary of the properties and features of middle verbs, this paper proposes that middle constructions are composed of two verbs, of which the first verb, serving as the predicate, denotes an action characteristic of conventional property or features, while the second verb, serving as a complement clause, denotes result. The combination of the two verbs denotes a complete event. Based on this, it is argued that all middle verbs must be of this nature in terms of underlying structure. Once this has been accepted, many long-standing puzzles related to middle constructions are solved quite readily.

CLC Number:

YANG Yongzhong. On the Nature of Middle Verbs and Middle Constructions[J]. Contemporary Foreign Languages Studies, 2015, 15(12): 19-24.

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