On the T(ense) and Asp(ect) in the derivation of infinitives in Portuguese

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the morphosemantics of aspect and tense in the Portuguese infinitives. Specifically, within Distributed Morphology framework (Halle & Marantz, 1993), in advancing Resende & Pires de Oliveira (2022)’s recent proposal, we approach the internal constituency of Portuguese infinitives (mostly Tense and Aspect) and discuss what exactly these pieces of structure denote. Firstly, we argue that all infinitives contain AspP and that its head is featured as neutral, in the sense of Smith (1997). Secondly, we approach TP and argue for a tree-way system (T[+TENSE], T[–TENSE], T[ ]), which can be associated to two different syntactic environments (in this case, DP vs. no DP), but not to different syntactic settings (for instance, raising vs. ECM). On the sematic side, Asp[neutral] denotes a set of time intervals where the event denoted by the verbal stem has started. As regards Tense, if T is [–TENSE], then it renders a simultaneous reading in relation to the matrix verb and if it is [+TENSE], the infinitive is futurate in relation to the matrix verb. However, if T lacks a tense-value, the TP will denote a property of events, almost like the nP-denotation in the nominal domain.