The Category P Features, Projections, Interpretation

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Siloni (2002) argues that the adjectival construct yefat eynayim is a complex
adjectival predicate. The genitive nominal in this complex is licensed by modification,
as the adjective does not have any semantic internal role. Despite the fact that the
external argument of the adjective is used for modification of the nominal, the
complex is nevertheless predicative. This is due to the external possessor argument
(variable), which is argued to be present in inalienable nominals. Therefore, only
these form adjectival constructs.
Although the Hebrew TC and the adjectival construct are not identical, the
resemblance is undeniable. The nominal in both constructions is a predicative NP,
rather than a DP, and it has an external slot, the externalized Theme in the former and
possessor in the latter. The set of nominals that can form a complex AP predicate is
restricted. It consists of le NPs in the former, and of inalienable nominals in the latter.
In both constructions, the adjective agrees with the subject, rather than with the
nominal it modifies.
5.5.1.5 The syntax of the complex AP predicate: The complex predicate in the
TC is undoubtedly adjectival (AP). It admits degree phrases (89); it can be conjoined
with another AP (90); in Hebrew, when it is used as a modifier it shows definiteness,
number and gender agreement, typical of Hebrew adjectival modifiers (91a), (91b); it
cannot be introduced by the relative complementizer še- or ha- (91c):
(89) ha-sefer me’od/dey kal li-kri’a
the-book very/rather easy to-reading
“The book is very/rather easy to read.”
(90) ha-šati’ax yašan ve-kaše le-nikuy
The-carpet [is] old and-tough to-cleaning
“The carpet is old and tough to clean.”
(91) a. mazon kaše le-ikul / ha-mazon ha-kaše le-ikul azal
food difficult to-digestion/the-food the-difficult to-digestion sold out
b. ha-bxinot ha-kašot li-vdika ne’elmu
the-exams.fem.pl. the-difficult.fem. pl. to-correcting.sg. disappeared