The Resource Logic of Complex Predicate Interpretation

Complex predicate constructions involve a mismatch between syntax and semantics: they are syntactically monoclausal, but involve a complex semantic structure. Mohanan (1993) gives the following definition of complex predicates: A COMPLEX PREDICATE construction is one in which two semantically predicative elements jointly determine the structure of a single syntactic clause. Consider the following example, due to Butt (1993a): (1) Anjum-ne Saddaf-ko. xat likhne diyaa. Anjum-ERG Saddaf-DAT letter-NOM write-INF-OBL let 'Anjum let Saddaf write a letter.' Butt (1993a) shows that the two semantically predicative elements likhne 'write' and diyaa 'permit' jointly make up a single complex predicate of a syntactically monoclausal sentence, while giving rise to a complex semantic representation.