Vv 88+ Predicates, Arguments and Thematic Roles be Thematic Roles nr) requires the specification of an intemal argument, ic. what is being, = studied, namely art history. Compare (19) to the sentence Paul studies ar history. In (20) and (21) the Subject expressions are Freddy and the bird, respectively, while of his sister and the house correspond to the internal arguments we find in VPs, The semantic content of the verb be in (20) and (21) is empty; the verb only serves as a carrier of the present tense inflection, Choa G Exercise Consider the sentences bracketed phrases can be and determine which thematic roles the to carry, \6.2 Thematic Roles role of Agent, as do the Subjects hat of Experience. Sentence (i) is by no means always easy to determine the thematic role particular phrase: what o-ole do we assign to the NP Greg? None of tne ate, We can adopt two possible solutions to Greg carries one ofthe e-roies on our $0, say Theme, of we invent @ new role on has the advantage that we keep our second solution allows ws tg mae finer di book we won't worry too much about such ables, and we wi each argument carries at mo pant roles from now on). Api ‘Agents and Patients, there are a number of other roles. Lingus agree exactly how many. there are, nor do We should recognise, However, the following themat accepted: roles are widely ‘Thematic roles (also known as thesa roles oF o-roles) Agent ‘The ‘doer’, or instigator of the action denoted by predicate Patient The ‘undergoer’ of the action or event denoted by the predicate that is moved by the action or event denoted by jcate Experiencer The living entity that experiences the action or event denoted by the predicate Goal ‘The location or entity in the direction of which something ‘Thome We won't rack our brains too much, and settle for Patient. The important thing is to be aware that this NP carries a thematic role. We can add the thematic information about predicates, which we will to as their thematic sn Benefactive The enity that benefits from the action or event denoted by fea the predicate Souree ‘The location or entity from which something moves Instrument The medium by which the action or event denoted by the DINE Peat predicate is carried out Locative The specification of the place where the action or event is situated