Infinitive constructions and theticity in German

In this research, I examine the correlation of coherent/incoherent constructions with thetic/categorical judgments in modern German, based on ideas put forward by Isaka (2020). Coherence/incoherence is a syntactic distinction first studied extensively by Bech (1983), while theticity/categoricality is a semantic distinction discussed by Marty (1918). An analysis of authentic data of the verb wagen ‘dare’ with subject keiner ‘no one’ and er ‘he’ reveals that incoherent constructions are less preferred for the purpose of expressing thetic judgments with keiner ‘no one’. In this avoidance of incoherence for theticity, there is a correspondence of form with content. To express a thetic judgment, which is also called simple judgment because of its indivisibility, incoherent constructions, consisting of two clauses, seem to be less suitable.