In the previous chapter, we looked at the syntax of subjects, arguing that these originate in a θ-marked specifier position within VP, and typically move into a case-marked specifier position within IP by application of raising. In this chapter, we turn to look at further instances of raising, and at an additional type of movement operation traditionally termed passivization. We go on to argue that raising and passivization are two different variants of the same A movement (= argument movement) operation, and we look at the syntax of A movement.

To get our discussion onto a concrete footing, consider the alternations illustrated below:

1. (1) (a) It seems [that he understands her]

2. (b) Heseems [to understand her]

3. (2) (a) It would appear [that they are lying]

4. (b) They would appear [to be lying]

5. (3) (a) It happened [that she came across an old love-letter]

6. (b) Shehappened [to come across an old love-letter]

7. (4) (a) It turned out [that Mary was right]

8. (b) Maryturned out [to be right]

The bold-printed verbs in these examples have a that-clause complement in the (a) examples, and an infinitive complement in the (b) examples. But what is puzzling about sentences like (1–4) is that the italicized expression which functions as the subject of the bracketed complement clause in the (a) examples surfaces as the subject of the matrix clause (i.e. the clause containing the complement clause) in the (b) examples: for example, he is the subject of understands in (Ia), but the subject of seems in (Ib).