Re: Verbs and More Verbs

In a message dated 02/28/02 11:38:05 PM, steven@OLYWA.NET writes:

<< First things first:   In the sentence "John exited the building," what

semantic role does "John" play?   Is he an agent?   Is he an experiencer?

If he's something else, what's the name of that role? >>

    I'd say he's an agent: John walks (or runs or whatever) out of the
building.  Unless he's under some sort of spell that drives his feet, or he's
being hurled, or something, I'd say he's the one controlling his motion.

<<Still not sure what role telicity might play in determining the number and

nature of a verb's arguments.   "Examine" is atelic because one could

logically, if not practically, do it indefinitely.   "Sever" is telic

because, logically, the act it stands for entails its own completion. >>

    Wow, what an interesting idea!  I'd never thought of it.  I wonder what I
can do with it...

-David

"Zi hiwejnat zodZaraDatsi pat Zi mirejsat dZaCajani sUlo."
"The future's uncertain and the end is always near."
                --Jim Morrison