Cause_motion "V n n" construction
Form
NP
Agent
Verb
NP
Recipient
NP
Theme
Examples
Agent
He
Verb
passed
Recipient
Miranda
Theme
[the paper.]
Agent
He
Verb
tossed
Recipient
her
Theme
[the scarf.]
Agent
We
'll
Verb
mail
Recipient
you
Theme
[a questionnaire.]
Meaning
An Agent causes a Theme to move to a Recipient.
Roles
Agent
The Agent is the one whose action causes the motion of a Theme.
Recipient
The Recipient is the person with whom the Theme ends up as a result of the motion.
Theme
The object that is moved by the Agent.
Frames
Description
In this "V n n" construction, the Theme is physically moved to a goal, identified as the Recipient. The Recipient ends up in control of the Theme, and is sometimes implied to gain ownership of it. This construction is most typically used with central caused motion verbs like bring or throw, but it also contains verbs that refer to sending via immaterial means, such as fax and email.
Inherits from
Sub-constructions
Lexical items ( Verb slot)
Sending
send
He sent them his hearty wishes.
mail
We'll mail you a questionnaire.
post
His mother posted him a cheque.
email
Could you perhaps email me the questions?
fax
You actually faxed us an order about a week or so ago.
wire
His mother wired him the fare home.
Passing
pass
He passed Miranda the paper.
throw
Telecom had merely thrown consumers a few crumbs.
toss
He tossed her the scarf.
Cause_motion
chuck
She chucked him the wagon and what it contained.
Bringing
bring
Frank Koller brings us the latest details.
fetch
He insisted on fetching me a coffee.
get
They got me a glass of water.