Phrasal verbs between syntax and lexicon

Phrasal verbs have some structural and semantic characteristics in common with morphologically complex words, even though they originate from phrasal constructions. Focusing on the role played by lexicalization and grammaticalization processes in the gradual shift from syntactic to morphological structures, this paper deals with semantic and morphotactic characteristics of Italian phrasal verbs. The overlapping between the range of directional meanings conveyed by prefixed verbs and phrasal verbs is considered as further evidence of the correspondences between phrasal verbs and clear morphological structures. A constructionist approach allows us to explain the processes that led to the origin of phrasal verbs, the hybrid characteristics they display, and their tendency toward the acquisition of lexical status.