Question

For the sentence \emph{Li knows [CP\textsubscript{1} that you believe [CP\textsubscript{2} that Mo thinks [CP\textsubscript{3} that Jo likes Kai]]]} which of the following statements can be held to apply?

• A. \textbf{CP\textsubscript{3} is embedded within CP\textsubscript{2} and CP\textsubscript{2} is embedded within CP\textsubscript{1}.}
• B. \textbf{The sentence demonstrates the use of CP-recursion.}
• C. \textbf{In this complex sentence, the matrix verb takes CP\textsubscript{1} as an object.}
• D. \textbf{CP\textsubscript{3} is the object of the embedded verb \emph{think} but CP\textsubscript{2} is not an object.}

Hint:

For nested ``that''-clauses, identify each selecting verb and its CP complement: \emph{knows} \(\rightarrow\) CP\textsubscript{1}, \emph{believe} \(\rightarrow\) CP\textsubscript{2}, \emph{thinks} \(\rightarrow\) CP\textsubscript{3}. Recursion = repeated embedding of the same category.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B, C

Step 1: Bracket structure and embedding.
We have nested complement clauses: CP\textsubscript{3} (``that Jo likes Kai'') is the complement of \emph{thinks}, embedded inside CP\textsubscript{2}; CP\textsubscript{2} is itself the complement of \emph{believe}, embedded inside CP\textsubscript{1}. \(\Rightarrow\) (A) True. Step 2: CP-recursion.
Because CPs occur inside other CPs repeatedly (CP\textsubscript{3} \(\subset\) CP\textsubscript{2} \(\subset\) CP\textsubscript{1}), the sentence exemplifies recursive CP embedding. \(\Rightarrow\) (B) True. Step 3: Matrix predicate's complement.
The matrix verb \emph{knows} selects a sentential complement, namely CP\textsubscript{1}. Hence the matrix verb takes CP\textsubscript{1} as its object/complement. \(\Rightarrow\) (C) True. Step 4: Why (D) is false.
Within CP\textsubscript{2}, the verb \emph{thinks} takes CP\textsubscript{3} as its complement (object). Similarly, \emph{believe} takes CP\textsubscript{2} as its complement. So CP\textsubscript{2} \emph{is} an object of \emph{believe}; (D) is therefore False. \[ \boxed{Correct Answer: (A), (B), (C)} \]