Promise and the Theory of Control

The verb promise diverges from other superficially similar predicates such as persuade & force in showing subject control & not the (far more common) pattern of object control. It is argued here that subject control with promise derives from its status as a dative verb, & from a resulting formal parallel between infinitival examples, eg, John promised Mary to leave & double object examples, eg, John promised Mary a sports car. A key element in this analysis is the account of double object structures proposed by Richard K. Larson (see LLBA 22/4, 8808472), in which V-NP-NP constructions are syntactically related to more basic oblique forms. The D-structure representations available in Larson make it possible to predict control structurally using a minimal distance principle. Control & selectional properties of promise are thus linked together in an intimate way. This account is contrasted with the structurally based theories of T. Stowell, R. Thomason, E. Bach, & E. Bach & B. Partee, & two classes of problems for a configurational account of control are discussed. 38 References. Modified AA