Control Without Finiteness Contrasts: Aspect and Complement Size in Mandarin Chinese

This paper investigates the behavior of aspect markers in controlled complements in Mandarin Chinese. I argue that such markers are instantiations of matrix aspect, despite surface appearances. The facts are shown to follow from the independently motivated proposal that Mandarin controlled complements are vPs, together with a phase-bound approach to the syntax of (affixal) aspect placement. The analysis implies that Mandarin lacks a finite/nonfinite distinction; rather, all empirical contrasts between controlled and non-controlled complements follow from a (vP vs. CP) split in complement size. Given that vP lacks the structure to assign Case to its [Spec,vP] subject, the analysis also supports the view that controlled positions are non-Case positions.