Lexical decomposition of verbs and the notion of an abstract state

Abstract

This paper will propose a novel semantic and syntactic analysis of stative verbs, more specifically abstract state verbs. On that analysis, abstract state verbs have an underlying structure on which they are complex predicates consisting of the light verb HAVE and a noun for a trope-like thing, a trope or attitudinal, modal or intensional object. That structure is also input to semantic interpretation. Thus, need a coat is underlyingly have need (of) a coat. This analysis allows for an account of both the restrictions on modifiers of abstract states verbs (including the Stative Adverb Gap) and constraints on explicit property-referring terms, NPs of the sort the property of needing a coat.