Haben-Constructions in German: One auxiliary meets three different argument structure constructions (original) (raw)

This paper explores the usage of the verb 'haben' in German across three distinct constructions: possession, perfect auxiliary usage, and passive constructions. It analyzes how the semantics of 'haben' shifts from a full verb indicating possession to an auxiliary verb in perfect tenses, and examines the conditions under which 'haben' functions as an auxiliary in passive constructions. The discussion includes the implications of semantic criteria in the selection of auxiliary verbs and posits that 'haben' has developed a peripheral passive construction that emerges from its perfect uses.