The Category P Features, Projections, Interpretation

83
of the [-m] PP-verbs (76) is not an Agent ([+c+m]), but rather an Experiencer [-c+m]
(or [+m], see Reinhart 2000, 2001). 49
(80) Dan [+c] /[+c+m] broke/repaired the jar with the hammer [+c-m] .
(81) *I [-c+m] loved him with my both hands [+c-m] . 50
In Hebrew, Instrumental phrases are introduced by the preposition be- (lit. ‘in’,
meaning ‘with’). This is exemplified in (82). (83)-(85) show that it is completely
impossible to use be- in order to force the instrumental interpretation of the internal
argument of the discussed [-m] PP-verbs.
(82) xataxti et ha-uga be-sakin
[I] cut Acc the-cake in-knife
“I cut the cake with a knife.”
(83) a. hitxarateti al ma’as-ay
[I] regretted on my deeds
“I regretted my deeds.”
b. *hitxarateti be-ma’as-ay
[I] regretted in-my deeds
Intended meaning: I regretted with my deeds.
(84) a. samaxti al lisa
[I] relied on Lisa
b. *samaxti be-lisa
[I] relied in-Lisa
Intended meaning: I relied with Lisa.
49 I have no explanation for the mentioned interesting fact that the external role of the [-m] PP-verbs is
not [+c+m] (Agent). Actually, it seems to be part of a more general phenomenon, noted by Tali Siloni
(p.c.). It appears that verbs assigning a [-m] role are never Agent assigning verbs.
50 Note that a sentence like I loved her with all my heart should not be viewed as a counterexample.
The PP headed by with functions here as an idiomatic manner adverbial, rather than an Instrument. An
Instrument PP is paraphrasable by ‘using DP’, which is clearly inappropriate for the mentioned
example: #I loved her using all my heart.