Chapter 3 - LOT publications

72 Reduplicative coordination constructions
Of course, this is not particularly surprising since all the predicates in a ReCo
construction are identical. Thus, unlike ConCo and SceCo where there is a non-local
relationship between the lexical verb and the subject, in ReCo, the subject is always
in a local relationship to the first verb, which appears to be lexical. For this reason,
one needs to differentiate whether it is the first verb of the ReCo construction that
selects the subject (in which case ReCo would pattern with SceCo) or whether it is the
second verb that selects the subject (in which case ReCo would pattern with ConCo).
Unfortunately, given that both verbs are identical it is not possible to tell directly which
of these options is the correct one. 12
3.2.11 Restrictions on which verbs can occur in ReCo constructions
ReCo constructions are very productive. However, there are restrictions on which
verbs can enter into this construction.
(66) *John did and did something [Light verb]
(67) *John will and will do something [Modal]
(68) *John has and has done something [Auxiliary]
(69) *John resembled and resembled his father [States]
(70) *John won and won the race [Achievements]
(71) *John ate and ate 46 hamburgers in only 2 hours [Accomplishments]
(72) John walked and walked for hours [Activities]
(73) John shot and shot at the rabbit
‘John repeatedly shot at the rabbit’ [Serial Achievement]
Two generalizations can be made from these data. Light verbs like do as well as
modals and auxiliaries cannot occur in ReCo constructions. In other words, ReCo constructions
are limited to lexical verbs. The second generalization is that only activity
verbs can occur in these constructions, although some endpoint implying verbs can
occur in ReCo constructions with serial or repetitive readings, i.e. they are construed
as activities. The main point I am trying to make is that there is (i) a definable class
of verbs entering into ReCo constructions (activity verbs) and (ii) there is a definable
class of verbs which do not participate in this construction (modals, light verbs, states,
achievements and accomplishments). This is also a property of pseudo-coordinative
constructions generally (section 2.1.10).
12 However, given that with respect to the semantic bleaching and VP-ellipsis tests ReCo patterns with
ConCo, it is perhaps reasonable to assume that it is the second verb that selects the subject in ReCo constructions
and that they thus pattern with ConCo.