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<p>This paper shows that there are fundamental connections in English between nominals headed by a singular noun of the <i>committee</i> type and the singular and plural pronouns <i>they</i>/<i>them</i> and <i>you</i> with regard to their agreement behaviour for number and person. An analysis of these DPs’ internal syntax and the influence of pre- <i>vs</i> post-verbal placement on number and person inflection on the verb is presented that capitalises on the difference between downward Agree and Spec–Head agreement. This analysis offers a syntactic representation for ‘singular <i>they</i>/<i>them</i>’ which not only explains its agreement sensitivity to linear placement relative to the finite verb but also four additional properties of this complex pronoun.</p>

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Number and person agreement with the subject: Downward Agree vs Spec–Head

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月30日

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  • Marcel den Dikken

摘要

This paper shows that there are fundamental connections in English between nominals headed by a singular noun of the committee type and the singular and plural pronouns they/them and you with regard to their agreement behaviour for number and person. An analysis of these DPs’ internal syntax and the influence of pre- vs post-verbal placement on number and person inflection on the verb is presented that capitalises on the difference between downward Agree and Spec–Head agreement. This analysis offers a syntactic representation for ‘singular they/them’ which not only explains its agreement sensitivity to linear placement relative to the finite verb but also four additional properties of this complex pronoun.