IK ZIE HEM MORGEN (TE) KOMEN. EEN "ECHTE" ACCUSATIVUS-CUM-INFINITIVO MET ZIEN.

This paper focuses on the syntactic variation displayed by the infinitival complement in so-called accusative-and-infinitive constructions with the matrix verb zien in its sense of 'expect, foresee' (e.g. Ik zie hem morgen (te) komen - 'I expect him to arrive tomorrow'). While this construction exclusively features a bare infinitive in present-day Standard Dutch, the alternative pattern with te + infinitive has been attested in a number of Flemish dialects. On the basis of the results from a questionnaire study, we will pinpoint this construction with te + infinitive as a primordially East Flemish phenomenon. In the second part of the paper, it will be argued that the use of the te particle in this pattern is motivated by its "isolating" function. This will involve a concise discussion of the syntactic and semantic evolution of the accusative-and-infinitive construction from Middle Dutch onwards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]