The ``do so'' Test

  The standard syntactic (structural) test for argument structure might be called the ``do so'' test. In X-bar theory terms, a complement is seen as combining with a lexical category to form an intermediate phrasal category while adjuncts combine with an intermediate phrasal category to produce the same category. The claim is that a full V-bar level constituent can be replaced by ``do so''. In the case of dative sentences, if the constituent {verb NP} in isolation (i.e. without the PP element) can be replaced by ``do so'', this indicates that the prepositional phrase is acting as a V-bar adjunct, because {verb NP} is construed as a V-bar constituent in isolation. If only the full constituent {verb NP PP} can be replaced by ``do so'', the PP must be construed as a complement.

-datives

As noted in jack:90, there seem to be two types of verb classes which can appear with -datives. The first type are verbs for which the PP is a complement, while the PP is an adjunct for verbs of the second type. The ``do so'' data in d1-d8 suggest that give and tell belong to the first subclass (despite the optionality of the -PP with tell), while send and kick belong to the second.

 

Adam gave a book to Debbie and Brian also did so. * Adam gave a book to Debbie and Brian did so to Susan.

 

Adam told a story to Debbie and Brian also did so. * Adam told a story to Debbie and Brian did so to Susan.

 

Adam gave a book to Debbie in the library. * Adam gave a book in the library.

 

Adam told a story to the children in the bedroom. Adam told a story in the bedroom.

 

Sam sent a letter to Bill and Mark also did so. Sam sent a letter to Bill and Mark did (so) to Susan.

 

Sam kicked a ball to Bill and Mark also did so. Sam kicked a ball to Bill and Mark did (so) to Susan.

 

Sam sent a letter at the post office. Sam sent a letter to Bill at the post office.

 

Sam kicked a ball in the park. Sam kicked a ball to Bill in the park.

-datives

The application of this test to -datives, as shown in d9-d10, provides evidence that these prepositional phrases should be treated as adjuncts since ``do so'' can replace either the full {verb NP PP} constituent or just the {verb NP} constituent.  

Adam baked a cake for Debbie and Brian also did so. Adam baked a cake for Debbie and Brian did so for Susan.

 

Adam sang a song for Debbie and Brian also did so. Adam sang a song for Debbie and Brian did so for Susan.