In the mood for control

The aim of this paper is to provide an account of na-clauses in Modern Greek, by focusing on the properties of the ‘mood’ particle na and its relation to the subject it embeds. It is argued that na has the effect of subsuming the lexical realization of the subject, mediating (along with verbal agreement) its interpretation. In control contexts, clause-union takes place, leading to the identification of the embedded (unrealized) subject with one of the matrix arguments. In non-control contexts, where no clause-union is at stake, free reference is the available option. It is also argued that the same approach can extend to to-complements in English. Any differences between the two grammars are further related to the presence vs. absence of verbal agreement.