Work

Number and person agreement with the subject: Downward Agree vs Spec–Head

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This paper shows that there are fundamental connections in English between nominals headed by a singular noun of the committee type and the singular and plural pronouns they / them and you with regard to their agreement behaviour for number and person. An analysis of these DPs’ internal syntax and the influence of pre- vs post-verbal placement on number and person inflection on the verb is presented that capitalises on the difference between downward Agree and Spec–Head agreement. This analysis offers a syntactic representation for ‘singular they / them ’ which not only explains its agreement sensitivity to linear placement relative to the finite verb but also four additional properties of this complex pronoun.

Source: Natural Language & Linguistic Theory

DOI: 10.1007/s11049-026-09696-6

Author: Marcel den Dikken

Institutions: Eötvös Loránd University, University of Lisbon, ELTE Research Centre for Linguistics

Language: English

Topic: Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation

Subfield: Language and Linguistics

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,090

Funder: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia