Predicting verbal mood in complement clauses: the role of the <em>semantic category</em>, the <em>tense</em> and the <em>grammatical aspect</em> of the matrix verb

This study deals with the issue of mood choice in complement clauses French, which speakers may choose between indicative or subjunctive. We report on results two experiments using an elicitation task, we investigated how matrix verb, via its distributive patterns (i.e. verbs selecting only subjunctive vs. accepting either mood), tense and grammatical aspect influences clause. While role semantics verb has been extensively studied semantic studies, considering is a novel approach to explaining choice. Our confirm that depends verb: there are (e.g. constater ‘notice’), apprécier ‘appreciate’) allow both subjunctive, called alternance rêver ‘dream’). Crucially, our reveal important interactions verbs’ their tense, as well aspect. Specifically, undergo influence but direction effect different for each these categories. In contrast verbs, not influenced by At general level, experimental opens new path towards enriching knowledge about what factors play significant reveals polysemy certain strongly affects selection indicative.