Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 English resultative constructions and research questions

1.2 Major approaches to English resultative constructions

1.3 A sketch of the aspectual-causal event structure

1.4 The organization of the dissertation

Chapter 2 Previous Studies of English Resultative Construction

2.1 Introduction

2.2 The Syntax-Semantics Interface

2.2.1 Meaning-driven approach

2.2.1.1 Theta-grid

2.2.1.2 Event structure

2.2.1.3 Scalar/nonscalarchangeormanner/resultcomplementary distribution

2.2.2 Aspect-driven approach

2.2.2.1 Aspect and Aktionsart

2.2.2.2 Aspectual interface hypothesis

2.2.3 Meaning-aspect-integrated approach

2.2.3.1 A scalar model

2.2.3.2 A three-dimensional model

2.3 Analysis of English resultative constructions in theories of meaning-driven approach

2.3.1 Goldberg（1995）：a constructional analysis

2.3.2 Goldberg and Jackendoff（2004）：a constructional event structture account

2.3.3 Levin and Rappaport：an event structure account

2.3.4 Levin and Rappaport：scalar/nonscalar property with resultatives

2.4 Analysis of English resultative constructions in theories of aspect-driven approach

2.4.1 Wechsler（2001,2005）：event-argument homomorphism model of telicity

2.4.2 Wyngaerd（2001）：event measuring

2.5 Analysis of English resultative constructions in theories of meaning-aspect-integrated approach

2.6 Discussions

2.6.1 Comments on meaning-driven analysis

2.6.1.1 Comments on the constructional analysis

2.6.1.2 Comments on the analysis of event structure

2.6.1.3 Comments on the analysis of aspectually relevant lexical properties

2.6.2 Comments on aspect-driven analysis

2.6.2.1 Comments on Wechsler's homomorphism model

2.6.2.2 Comments on Wyngaerd's measuring event

2.6.3 Comments on meaning-aspect-integrated analysis

2.7 Summary

Chapter 3 An Aspectual-Causal Event Structure

3.1 Introduction

3.2 A general introduction to the aspectual-causal event structure

3.2.1 Research questions of event structure

3.2.2 The framework of the aspectual-causal event structure

3.3 The aspectual tier：Time-Space Hypothesis

3.4 The lexical tier：the lexicalized causal segment

3.4.1 Grounding studies

3.4.1.1 Types ofcausation

3.4.1.2 Causal segment and mapping model

3.4.2 The lexical structure of event

3.4.2.1 An extended classification of causation types

3.4.2.2 The lexical structure ofevent：the lexicalized causal segment

3.5 The connection and interaction of the two tiers

3.6 Event lexicalization and argument realization of English resultative constructions

3.6.1 The aspectual tier of event structure for English resultative constructions

3.6.2 The connection and interaction of two tiers in English resultative constructions

3.6.2.1 The constraint of the extended aspectual structure on the lexical structure

3.6.2.2 The constraint ofthe lexical structure on the extended aspectual structure

3.7 Summary

Chapter 4 An Aspectual-Causal Event Structure Account of English Resultative Constructions

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Verb types and causal relations

4.2.1 Physical action verbs：scrubbing-verbs and breaking-verbs

4.2.2 Motion verbs：running-verbs and entering-verbs

4.2.3 Behavioral verbs

4.2.4 Mental verbs

4.2.5 Inducive verbs：persuading-verbs and urging-verbs

4.2.6 Special cases

4.2.6.1 Following-verbs

4.2.6.2 Creation/consumption verbs

4.2.6.3 Singing-verbs

4.2.6.4 Creaking-verbs

4.2.7 Interim summary

4.3 The extendedness and right-boundedness of adjectives and prepositions

4.3.1 Adjectives

4.3.1.1 Non-gradable adjectives

4.3.1.2 Maximal endpoint closed-scale gradable adjectives

4.3.1.3 Minimum endpoint closed-scale gradable adjectives

4.3.1.4 Open-scale adjectives

4.3.2 Prepositions

4.3.2.1 Source Prepositions

4.3.2.2 Goal Prepositions

4.3.2.3 Route Prepositions

4.3.2.4 Comparative Prepositions

4.3.2.5 Constant Prepositions

4.3.2.6 Geometric Prepositions

4.3.2.7 Periodic Prepositions

4.4 Analyzing nuclear constructions

4.4.1 Physical action verbs in nuclear constructions

4.4.2 Motion verbs in nuclear constructions

4.4.3 Behavioral verbs in nuclear constructions

4.4.4 Mental action verbs in nuclear constructions

4.4.5 Inducive action verbs in nuclear constructions

4.4.6 Special cases

4.4.6.1 Following-verbs in nuclear constructions

4.4.6.2 Creation/consumption verbs in nuclear constructions

4.4.6.3 Singing-verbs in nuclear constructions

4.6.6.4 Creaking-verbs in nuclear constructions

4.5 Analyzing English resultative constructions

4.5.1 Physical action verbs in English resultative constructions

4.5.1.1 Scrubbing-verbs

4.5.1.2 Breaking-verbs

4.5.2 Motion verbs in English resultative constructions

4.5.2.1 Running-verbs

4.5.2.2 Entering-verbs

4.5.2 Behavioral verbs in English resultative constructions

4.5.4 Mental verbs in English resultative constructions

4.5.5 Inducive verbs in English resultative constructions

4.5.5.1 Urging-verbs

4.5.5.2 Persuading-verbs

4.5.6 Special cases

4.5.6.1 Following-verbs in English resultative constructions

4.5.6.2 Creation/consumption verbs in English resultative constructions

4.5.6.3 Singing-verbs in English resultative constructions

4.5.6.4 Creaking-verbs in English resultative constructions

4.6 Summary

Chapter 5 Conclusions and Discussions

5.1 Main findings

5.2 Implications

5.2.1 The invalidity of Aspectual Interface Hypothesis

5.2.2 The invalidity of the manner/result complementary distribution

5.2.3 Telicity and English resultative constructions

5.2.4 Homomorphism and English resultative constructions

5.3 Suggestions for future research

References