"This is the most important book on lexical aspect since David Dowty's seminal <i>Word Meaning and Montague Grammar</i>." <i>Angelika Kratzer, University of Massachusetts–Amherst</i> <br /> <p><br /> </p> <p>"As well as providing a clear introduction to the subject, this excellent book extends our knowledge of the lexical aspectual properties of verbs and verb phrases in new and original directions. Rothstein's careful exploitation of the flexibility of event-based semantics in providing a solid foundation for the interpretation of verbal aspect establishes the theory as central to any explanation of this often difficult – but ever fascinating – topic." <i>Ronnie Cann, University of Edinburgh</i><br /> </p> <p><br /> </p> <p>"This outstanding book represents a new breakthrough in the general theory of lexical aspect. The discussions of the previous research are distinguished by clarity as well as new challenges and insights. In a highly engaging way Rothstein also advances new solutions to some of the most thorny issues – including aspectual shifts, progressive achievements, and resultative predication – which will shape the future research in lexical aspect." <i>Hana Filip, Stanford University</i><br /> </p> <p>"Rothstein’s book contains many observations, deep intuitions and exciting analyses which will doubtless be very influential in a variety of areas. Empirically, the book contains a treasure trove of interesting data that will no doubt be mulled over for years to come." <i>Lingua</i></p>

Structuring Events presents a novel semantic theory of lexical aspect for anyone interested in the study of verb meanings.

  • Provides an introduction to aspectual classes and aspectual distinctions.
  • Utilizes case studies to present a novel semantic theory of lexical aspect and compare it with alternative theories.
  • Useful for students and scholars in semantics and syntax as well as the neighboring fields of pragmatics and philosophy of language.
Les mer
Structuring Events presents a novel semantic theory of lexical aspect for anyone interested in the study of verb meanings. * Provides an introduction to aspectual classes and aspectual distinctions. * Utilizes case studies to present a novel semantic theory of lexical aspect and compare it with alternative theories.
Les mer

Preface vii

1. Verb Classes and Aspectual Classification 1

2. Progressive Achievements 36

3. Resultative Predication 59

4. The Structure of Accomplishments 91

5. The Interpretation of Derived Accomplishments 123

6. Quantization, Telicity and Change 148

7. Telicity and Atomicity 157

8. Event Structure and Aspectual Classification 183

References 198

Index 202

 

Les mer
Structuring Events presents a novel semantic theory of lexical aspect. The first chapter provides an introduction to aspectual classes and aspectual distinctions such as quantization and cumulativity, stages and changes, and telicity and atelicity. Two in-depth case studies of progressive achievements and resultative predication form the basis of a new account of the lexical semantics of accomplishments; this theory is then used in a new analysis of the telic/atelic distinction. Throughout, the emerging theory of aspect is extensively compared with alternative theories, and the book concludes with general reflections on the semantic structure of the lexical aspectual classes.

Written accessibly, Structuring Events is an invaluable resource for semanticists or syntacticians interested in the study of verb meanings, as well as for people in the neighboring fields of pragmatics and philosophy of language.

Les mer
Introduction. 1. Verb Classes and Aspectual Classification. 2. Progressive Achievements. 3. Resultative Predication. 4. The Structure of Accomplishments. 5. The Interpretation of Derived Accomplishments. 6. Quantization, Telicity and Change. 7. Telicity and Atomicity. 8. Event Structure and Aspectual Classification. Bibliography. Index
Les mer

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781405106689
Publisert
2003-11-28
Utgiver
John Wiley and Sons Ltd; Wiley-Blackwell
Vekt
397 gr
Høyde
248 mm
Bredde
174 mm
Dybde
16 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
224

Forfatter

Om bidragsyterne

Susan Rothstein is Professor of Linguistics at Bar-Ilan University. She has published widely on such issues as syntax, semantics, and the syntax–semantics interface. She is author of Predicates and Their Subjects (2000), and editor of Events and Grammar (1998) and Perspectives on Phrase Structure: Heads and Licensing (1991).