Found:
Theta Criterion
SYNTAX: condition which states that at D-structure each argument is in a theta-position, and that each theta-position contains an argument. If the theta-criterion is defined over LF it says that each theta-position is in a unique chain, and that each chain contains a unique theta-position. The theta-criterion accounts for the contrasts in (i) and (ii).
(i) a it seems that John is ill
b *Bill seems that John is ill
(ii) a Bill believes that John is ill
b *it believes that John is ill
In (i)b the argument Bill is in a theta-bar position; in (ii)b the expletive it (a non-argument) is in a theta-position. Originally, the theta-criterion stipulated a unique relationship between arguments and theta-roles (rather than theta-positions), forcing the analysis in (iii)b on John left angry: unless angry brings its own (PRO) argument, there would be two theta-roles (assigned by left and angry, respectively) for one argument (John). Revising the theta-criterion in
terms of theta-positions allows the analysis in (iii)a where the unique argument John is in a unique theta-position associated with two theta-roles.
(iii) a John left angry
b John left [PRO angry]
In Brody (1993) it is argued that the theta-criterion can be dispensed with.
| LIT. | Brody, M. (1993) Chomsky, N. (1986a) Chomsky, N. (1981) |