We propose a lexical representation of verbs and events that yields a principled account for a range of syntactic phenomena manifested by a large number of English verbs. First, we distinguish three types of resultatives, which point to three different verb classes, each requiring a distinct lexical representation in the form of an event template. On the basis of the resultative data, we develop a framework for primary and secondary event templates and a check-off mechanism governing their co-occurrence. Our theory allows us to define and account for the realization of two types of non-subcategorized arguments. "Ghosts" may appear with otherwise intransitive verbs in resultative constructions. "Shadows" can be selected by Figure/Ground verbs, for which we provide a unified classification by means of a Figure Feature. Our template theory and check-off mechanism account in a straightforward manner for the argument alternation patterns found among Figure/Ground verbs.
For the colloquium series schedule, see the UMD Computational Linguistics Colloquium Series web page at http://umiacs.umd.edu/~resnik/cl_colloquium/. If you are interested in meeting with the speaker, please contact Philip Resnik (resnik@umiacs.umd.edu).