Basic Transitive
"Ellen told a story"
Agent V Topic
transfer_info(during(E),Agent,?Recipient,Topic) cause(Agent,E)
Dative (to-PP variant)
"Ellen told a story to Helen"
Agent V Topic Prep(to) Recipient
transfer_info(during(E),Agent,Recipient,Topic) cause(Agent,E)
Dative (ditransitive variant)
"Ellen told Helen a story"
"Ellen told me, 'Leave the room.'"
Agent V Recipient Topic
transfer_info(during(E),Agent,Recipient,Topic) cause(Agent,E)
Transitive (+ Topic PP)
"Ellen told Helen about the situation"
Agent V Recipient Prep(about) Topic
transfer_info(during(E),Agent,Recipient,Topic) cause(Agent,E)
Sentential Complement (+ Recipient Object)
"Ellen told Helen that the party would be tonight"
"Ellen told Helen how to avoid the crowd"
"Ellen told Helen to come"
Agent V Recipient Topic[+sentential]
transfer_info(during(E),Agent,Recipient,Topic) cause(Agent,E)