On the English alternation that/Ø in complement clauses: An historical approach

Abstract

Abstract Motivated by the fact that the English alternation that/Ø does not yet have a principled account, in spite of more than five decades of research, this thesis will explore the implications of a series of historical linguistic aspects of its development in subordinate structures. Thus, by introducing a new approach to this topic, this study attempts to trace and chart the development of the alternation over time, in order to determine when and/or how it could have been incorporated into the language. To understand this syntactic change in its own developing context properly, this analysis presents evidence from the different historical periods referred to as Old English, Middle English and Early Modern English. Instances of synchronic, diachronic and comparative syntax involving constructions within complement clauses are utilized in this task. At the current stage of research, taking into account the historical development of the alternation can help us attain both a complementary and improved understanding of this still intriguing linguistic phenomenon.