View source for By-phrase

In syntax, '''by-phrase''' is an optional [[adjunct]] in a [[passive]] construction headed by by and containing the logical subject. 

===Examples===
In (i) the ''by''-phrase contains ''Vitesse'', the logical subject of ''won'' (cf. ''Vitesse won the match''). As shown by (ii), ''by''-phrases are also possible in nominal passives.


 (i)   The match was won by Vitesse.

 (ii)  Carthago's destruction by the Romans.

 (iii) They kissed by the light of the moon.

Not all languages allow passive ''by''-phrases, and not all [[phrase]]s headed by ''by'' are passive ''by''-phrases: in (iii) the ''light of the moon'' is not interpreted as an [[argument]] of the verb ''kiss''.

===Link===
[http://www2.let.uu.nl/UiL-OTS/Lexicon/zoek.pl?lemma=By-phrase&lemmacode=851 Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics] 

===References===
*Baker, M., Johnson, K. & Roberts, I. 1989. Passive Arguments Raised. ''Linguistic Inquiry 20'', 219-252.
*Grimshaw, J. 1990. ''Argument Structure.'' Cambridge, Mass: MIT-press.
*Jaeggli, O. 1986. Passive. ''Linguistic Inquiry 17'', 587-622.

{{dc}}
[[Category:Syntax]]