Syntax:Transformations: Passives

Passive sentences differ from their active counterparts in a number of ways. First, the subject (agent) of the active sentence is demoted to an adjunct PP (by-phrase) or is deleted altogether. The active verb is transformed into "to be + past participle." Finally, the original object of the sentence moves from the position of complement of the verb to the subject position (spec of IP). This is because the passive verb loses the ability to assign case. Therefore, the object cannot receive case in its original position, thus necessitating the move. Note, however, that the object retains its theta role; that is, it does not become the agent of the sentence. The agent role is absorbed by the passive verb. Example: Active: Superman drives the car AGENT THEME Passive: The car is driven e (by Superman) THEME In syntactic trees we treat the past participle as an adjective phrase because they share certain features with one another, including: Neither can assign case, and past participles can behave like adjectives in that they can appear in comparative and superlative constructions (more defeated, most intrigued). Thus the AdjP appears as the sister to the verb (to be). In turn, the object originates as the complement to the Adj and then moves to (spec, IP). For each of the following sentences, draw the tree and check your answers (given only in X-bar form).