Objects that qualify as generic, non-referential, indefinite, inanimate/non-human, semantically dependent, pragmatically non-prominent tend to be incorporated. Objects that qualify as specific, referential, definite, animate/human, semantically independent, pragmatically prominent tend to be autonomous.
Standardized
When there is a choice between independence from and incorporation into the verb, objects tend to be incorporated when they are generic, non-referential, indefinite, inanimate/non-human, semantically dependent, pragmatically non-prominent, and to be independent when they are specific, referential, definite, animate/human, semantically independent, pragmatically prominent.
Keywords
incorporation, object, definiteness, specific reference, animacy, human,
Domain
inflection, syntax, semantics
Type
implication
Status
achronic
Quality
statistical
Basis
American languages surveyed by Sapir 1911, Eastern Cushitic languages surveyed by Sasse 1984
Proper nouns do not incorporate. The incorporated noun cannot pluralize, take adjectives, determiners, etc.