“Someone” is moved to Spec-IP, leaving trace (t) in its original position of VP-internal Q. (Q=Quantifier)

IP

Q I’

I VP

Someonei Q V’

is someone V PP

ti

knocking at the door

“There” in Spec-IP i) has structural case ii) has no semantic role iii) forms a chain with its associate “someone”. “someone” has the semantic role, Agent. “There” and its associate “someone” together satisfy the Principle of Full Interpretation.

IP

D I’

I VP

There Q V’

is V PP

someone

knocking at the door

subjectsThey probably will [ t become millionaires ] *a millionaire

John certainly has [ t damages his credibility]

You definitely mustn’t [ t lose your cool]

We would [ t hurt each other]

They really shouldn’t [ t live together]

with quantifiersA. They are both helping her.B. We can all work harder.C. You will each receive a present.

IP

D I’

I VP

They are QP V’

Q D V D

both t helping her

semantic/thematic/ -roles

a. [The FBI] arrested [Larry Luckless]

b. [The suspect] received [a caution]

c. [The audience] enjoyed [the play]

d. [The president] went [to Boston]

a. [The FBI] arrested [Larry Luckless]

Agent Theme

b. [The suspect] received [a caution]

Recipient Theme

c. [The audience] enjoyed [the play]

Experiencer Theme

d. [The president] went [to Boston]

Theme Goal

Exercise

b. [David] smelled [the freshly baked bread].

Ag Th

c. [We] put [the cheese] [in the fridge].

Ag Th Loc

d. [Frank] threw [himself] [onto the sofa].

Ag Th Loc

e. [Greg] comes [from Wales].

Ag Source

a. [His mother] sent [David] [a letter] Ag B Th

[He] threw [the ball].

[He] threw [a fit].

VP

D Agent V’ Experiencer

V DP he Theme

threw the ball a fit

Agent Theme

Experiencer Theme

I VP

D Agent V’ Experiencer

V DP t Theme

throw the ball

a fit

IP

DP I’

He will