Syntax: Transformations: Raising

Raising refers to a type of NP movement in which the subject of an embedded, non-finite clause rises to the subject (specifier) or the object (complement) position of a finite clause. This move is motivated by the fact that the NP cannot receive case from a non-finite verb, and thus must move to a place where case can be assigned. For example, in the sentence "John tends to be late," the noun 'John' is the subject of the clause 'to be late', yet is raised to the [Spec, IP] position of the verb tends, where it receives nominative case. In subject-to-subject raising, the NP moves from one subject position to another. (Note: t is ‘trace’ and is co-indexed with the moved element.) D-structure: [ ___tends [CP John to be late]] S-structure: [Johni tends [CP ti to be late]] In subject-to-object raising, the subject of the non-finite clause raises to the object position of the matrix clause, also in order to receive case (accusative). D-structure: [Jane expected ___ [CP John to arrive late]] S-structure: Jane expected John [CP ti to arrive late] For each of the sentences below, draw a tree showing ‘raising.’ Answers are given in both simple and X-bar forms.