Operator :
Operator “. . . we call the first or only auxiliary verb the ‘operator’ in that this verb form performs several operational functions in English that involve relating major syntactic structures.”
If the first auxiliary is a periphrastic modal beginning with be, only be is the operator. The first word of have to and the first word of a semi-modal does not function as an operator since they require do support.
As always, the copula be is an exception. In clauses or sentences where the copula be is the only verb, be functions as the operator.
p. 187 :
p. 187
Not Placement :
Not Placement output of base: not it -pres be going to rain on Monday.
copy s/t: not it -pres [+ 3 + sg] be going to rain on Monday
not placement: it -pres [+ 3 + sg] be not going to rain on Monday
morphology: it is not going to rain on Monday. p. 188
Not Contraction: 1 :
Not Contraction: 1 p. 189
Not Contraction: 2 :
Not Contraction: 2 p. 189
Not Contraction: 3 :
Not Contraction: 3 output of base: not we -pres have do -en our homework
copy s/t: not we -pres [+ 1 + pl] have do -en our homework
not placement: we -pres [+ 1 + pl] have not do -en our homework
not contraction: we -pres [+ 1 + pl] have+n’t do -en our homework
morphology: we haven’t done our homework p. 190
Operator Addition: 1 :
Operator Addition: 1 p. 191 DO support
Operator Addition: 2 :
Operator Addition: 2
Operator Addition: 3 :
Operator Addition: 3 output of base: not Shirley -past smoke
copy s/t: not Shirley -past [+ 3 + sg] smoke
operator addition: not Shirley -past [+ 3 + sg] do smoke
not placement: Shirley -past [+ 3 + sg] do not smoke
not contraction: Shirley -past [+ 3 + sg] do+n’t smoke
morphology: Shirley didn’t smoke p. 192
end :
end