This paper presents an analysis of the so-called passive-SE constructions, compared with canonical passives and other SE-constructions (inherent, reflexive, reciprocal, etc.) in texts written by Portuguese authors born between the 16th and 19th centuries. The aim of the study is to show that the change from passive-SE into indefinite-SE may be related to the attested change that involves the subject position. According to Galves and Paixão de Sousa (2005, 2010), in the Classical Portuguese (16th and 17th centuries) grammar the left position of the verb is a position to where topicalized constituents move, including subjects, so the base position of the subject is post verbal. From the 18th century on, a shift occurs and the subject is preferably pre-verbal and topicalized constituents occupy the left periphery. The quantitative analysis of the evolution of SE-constructions in comparison to canonical passives over time demonstrates that the change that occurs in SE-constructions - from passive-SE to indefinite-SE - has been triggered by the change in subject position.
Quantitative historical syntax; Embedded change; Subject position; Passives; SE-constructions
