The infinitival particle and phrase in Italian and English

Abstract

The thesis is based upon a study of the infinitival particle and phrase in Italian and English. The main core of this study is to offer a comparison between these two languages in relation to the infinitival clause. Within this research, I consider syntactical issues such as Raising and ECM constructions in relation to the infinitival phrase in Italian and English, and to the structural difference that lies between the two languages and their respective infinitival clauses. Also, I offer an analysis of the issue based upon Kayne’s and Chomsky’s work. The main point that emerges from my analysis is related to the 'nominal' feature of the infinitival IP, a characteristic which I based upon Kayne's research. In Italian in fact, the whole infinitival IP has a nominal feature, while English Infinitival IPs only have their VP as nominal. Most of the analysis is based upon this assumption.