Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.31724/rihjj.51.2.1

On the Voice and Status of the Construction dati + se + Infinitive

Mia Batinić Angster orcid.org/0000-0001-9470-2326 ; Odjel za lingvistiku Sveučilišta u Zadru

Abstract

This study investigates the Croatian dati + se + infinitive construction in contexts where it encodes objective possibility. The paper focuses on the relevance of this construction for the typology of voice and discusses its status. While it shares key features with the canonical se-middle – such as the realization of the internal argument of the non-finite verb in subject position, the presence of the athematic se, and a dispositional modality reading – it diverges structurally through the presence of an embedded non-finite verb. Central to the analysis is the identification of the infinitival component as a passive infinitive, representing a type of non-canonical passive. This structure lacks overt morphological marking typically associated with passives, but allows agentive realization via the re-introduction of the prepositional phrase od (strane) + NP_Gen. These properties distinguish it from canonical middles and align it with non-canonical passives. Furthermore, the construction exhibits syntactic reduction, supporting its interpretation as a restructuring environment.

Keywords

infinitive; voice; passive; middle; restructuring; modality

Hrčak ID:

341598

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/341598

Publication date:

31.12.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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