SUBJECT POSITIONS AND THE ROLES OF TP

We propose that the specifier of a VP-external functional projection-T ense Phrase-may host subject NPs under certain conditions. We present empirical evidence that nonspecific subject NPs that have elsewhere be en analyzed as remaining VP-internal occupy this position. We also off er theoretical arguments that transitive subjects may never remain int ernal to the VP at S-Structure in languages for which the Extended Pro jection Principle holds. Extending work by Bures (1992, 1993), we argu e further that [Spec, TP] is implicated as a subject position in NP ob ject shift constructions. Parametric availability of this one position accounts for a cluster of properties within the Germanic languages.