Video 14.1 The Puzzle Of Double Objects

Andrew Carnie presents Syntax: A Generative Introduction. 4E. Wiley-Blackwell.
Video 14.1 The Puzzle Of Double Objects
Double object constructions like "Roberta gave Luis a kitten" are a problem for X-bar theory because it appears as if the verb "give" has two complements. The complement rule only allows one. Larson's idea that the complement to a verb like "give" is a complex phrase (XP in the video) that has a specifier and complement position to house the two internal arguments. This is given support by the Barss/Lasnik effects that show that the first object asymmetrically c-commands the second as evidenced by the distribution of principle A effects.
Please purchase the book: www.wiley.com/en-us/Syntax%3A...