This paper provides an analysis of English middle structures within the framework of the Lexical Constructional Model (LCM), which pro­poses a central module, the level 1 or argument module, consisting of elements of syntactically relevant semantic interpretation based on the interaction between lexical and constructio­nal templates. Hence, the first task will be to explain the constructional template correspon­ding to middle sentences in English by means of the metalanguage proposed in the model. Nevertheless, and following some of the more recent—and still programmatic—proposals (cf. Cortés and Sosa, 2008; Mairal and Ruiz de Men­doza, 2008; Cortés, 2009), the Middle Template will also include its corresponding qualia fea­tures, following Pustejovsky’s (1995) semantic theory. This extended system of representation will allow us to give a principled account of the semantic (in)compatibility between lexical ele­ments (predicates and arguments) and the midd­le construction.

Cortés-Rodríguez, F. & Mairal Usón, R. (2013). Constraints on English middle structures: A Lexical-Constructional analysis. Onomázein, nro. 27, pp. 220-240.

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