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The paper develops an analysis of verbal complexes in Bulgarian. It is argued that both šte and da are modal markers which become part of the verbal complex in a zone between morphology (lexicon) and syntax. The same is claimed for object clitics. The CP projection is proposed to be the place of existential quantification of the verbal event variable already on the representational level of Semantic Form (SF), going hand in hand with existential presupposition (če‑sentences). Da‑expressions, on the other hand, are construed as mere ModPs from which it follows that there is no existential quantification on SF. The latter is argued to take place only on the extra-grammatical level of Conceptual Structure. The paper also gives a lexical account for the different selectional properties of matrix verbs with respect to da‑expressions and/or če‑sentences.

This paper develops a theory of Bulgarian sentence and verb complex structure based on lexicalist minimalist assumptions, Bierwisch’s theory of Verb Cluster Formation (VCF), and the Two-level Theory of Meaning which distinguishes grammatically determined meaning from extralinguistically determined meaning. It is argued that both ще and да are modal particles marking specific types of verbal mood. They are connected with the verb in a zone between morphology (lexicon) and syntax, namely through the process of VCF. This also holds for the clitic auxiliaries within perfect tense formation. Furthermore, the Complementizer Phrase (CP) is assumed to be the place where existential quantification of the predicate’s event variable is marked in syntax (going hand in hand with existential presupposition). Да-expressions are analyzed as Modal Phrases (ModPs) lacking a CP layer, from which it can be concluded that there is no existential presupposition. It is assumed that the latter takes place only on the level of Conceptual Structure due to extragrammatical factors such as the speaker’s world knowledge. This approach can explain the interpretational differences between че-sentences and да-expressions. Also, a lexicalist way of accounting for the different selectional properties of matrix predicates is presented. peerReviewed