Thematic Roles in Linguistics

Thematic Roles

• AGENT: the initiator of some action, capable of acting with volition.
• PATIENT: the entity undergoing the effect of some action, often undergoing some change of state.
• THEME: the entity which is moved by an action, or whose location is described.
• EXPERIENCER: the entity which is aware of the action or state described by the predicate but which is not in control of the action or state.
• BENEFICIARY: the entity for whose benefit the action was performed.
• INSTRUMENT: the means by which an action is performed or something comes about.
• LOCATION: the place in which something is situated or takes place.
• GOAL: the entity towards which something moves, either literally or metaphorically.
• SOURCE: the entity from which something moves, either literally or metaphorically.
• ACTOR: the entity which performs, effects, instigates, or controls the situation denoted by the predicate (supertype of AGENT).
• RECIPIENT: a subtype of GOAL involved in actions describing changes of possession.
• PERCEPT/STIMULUS: the entity which is perceived or experienced.

Thematic Roles (examples)

• Mary: PATIENT (persuaded by the "we")
• He: AGENT (supplied information)
• his poetry: INSTRUMENT (means by which Earle earns money)
• relaxation: GOAL (the purpose for playing Monopoly)
• Angela: AGENT (reading stories to the children)
• him: PATIENT (suspected by the police)
• the summit of the mountain: GOAL (the destination of the climber)
• The captain of the swim team: AGENT (performing the action of swimming)
• the library: SOURCE (location from which the book was removed)
• to Jerry's apartment: GOAL (destination of the couch)
• The accountant: AGENT (responsible for the mistake)
• my success: PATIENT (what Jane envies)
• at the party: LOCATION (place where Margaret's friend was seen)
• He: AGENT (performing the action of lending money)