Universal 371: VO ⇒ main stress in a Verb Phrase is to the right of Verb;
OV ⇒ main stress in a Verb Phrase is to the left of Verb

Universal 371: VO ⇒ main stress in a Verb Phrase is to the right of Verb;
OV ⇒ main stress in a Verb Phrase is to the left of Verb

Original

In a Verb Phrase, main stress should be to the right of Verb in VO languages and to its left in OV languages [because a phrase’s main stress is located on its most deeply embedded constituent, which is ordinarily the innermost complement of the phrase head].

Standardized

IF basic order is VO, THEN main stress in a Verb Phrase is to the right of Verb.
IF basic order is OV, THEN main stress in a Verb Phrase is to the left of Verb.

Keywords

stress, VP, verb, order, object

Domain

prosodic phonology, syntax

Type

implication

Status

achronic

Quality

absolute?

Basis

?

Source

Cinque 1993: 271, cited in Plank 1996, Plank 1998

Counterexamples