Syntax-Semantics Mismatches in Mandarin Chinese

This book serves as accessible reference work on Chinese grammar with a attributive function focus. It explores the nature of fake attributives. Four types of fake attributive are discussed: (1) subject-originated attributives, that is, fake possessives caused by the V-DE Constraint on Object (VDCO) and V-V Compound Constraint on Object (VVCO), (2) object-originated attributives, namely, fake possessives caused by the VO Complex Verb Constraint on Object (VOCO), (3) fake nominal quantifiers, and (4) adverbial-originated attributives. It is found that most derivation of fake attributives is triggered within the module of syntax, although historically some variants have been formed by the influence of prosodic constraints.