Lesson 2 / handout 2b - KEY

Semantic roles of clause elements

SUBJECT     - agentive participant (the doer of the action)

- the animate participant that causes the happening denoted by the verb

- John is cleaning the windows.

DIRECT OBJECT - affected participant

                                    - animate or inanimate, not causing the happening but directly involved 
                                      in the action

                                   - We’ve sold our house.

INDIRECT OBJECT    - recipient participant

                                         - animate being, passively involved by the happening or state

                                        - I bought him a book.

SUBJECT or OBJECT COMPLEMENT           - attribute

- current attribute: with verbs used statively

- resulting attribute: with verbs used dynamically

- She is my sister. I consider her my best friend.= current attribute

- She became a teacher. She drives me mad. = resulting attribute

- She is a doctor. They named their son James. = identification

- She is a good doctor. I find her clever. = characterization