ECM with CP Complements as Raising-to-edge: Evidence from Japanese and Romanian*

Mika Takahashi

Abstract

Japanese exhibits some ECM phenomena apparently inconsistent with the phase theory put forth by Chomsky (2000), if certain previous analyses are to be taken into account. In this paper, I argue for the hypothesis that an embedded subject must raise to the Spec of CP in ECM constructions with CP complements (cf. Kuno’s (1976) Raising-to-Object analysis and Saito’s (1983) control analysis). Romanian ECM constructions provide strong evidence for this analysis. The arguments in this paper would provide additional support for the phase theory.  

Keywords: ECM, phase, CP-edge, Japanese, Romanian