Roleset spread.01 Verbnet Class: 1 "smear, apply":

Roles:

Arg0:applier, intentional agent


Arg1:substance


Arg2:surface


Arg3:instrument, brush

Examples:

passivized (-)
She said the move would result in a after-tax charge of less than $4 million *trace* *trace* to be spread *trace* over the next three quarters.
REL:	spread
Arg1:	*trace* -> *trace* -> *trace* -> a after-tax charge
Arg2-over:	the next three quarters




all args, active (-)
John spread the peanut butter onto the bread with his fingers.
Arg0:	John
REL:	spread
Arg1:	the peanut butter
Arg2-onto:	the bread
Arg3-with:	his fingers




instrumental subject (-)
Feathers don't spread peanut butter very well.
Arg3:	Feathers
Argm-NEG:	n't
REL:	spread
Arg1:	peanut butter
Argm-MNR:	very well

Roleset spread.02 Verbnet Class: 1 "extend":

Roles:

Arg1:substance


Argm:diretion or location or extent

Examples:

ergative, with direction (-)
``The way that we've been managing Campbell U.S.A. can hopefully spread to other areas of the company,'' Mr. Baum said.
Arg1:	The way that we 've been managing Campbell U.S.A.
ArgM-MOD:	can
REL:	spread
ArgM-DIR:	to other areas of the company




ergative, no direction (-)
But as panic spread...
Arg1:	panic
REL:	spread




ergative, with location (-)
The oil spread over the water.
Arg1:	The oil
REL:	spread
Argm-LOC:	over the water

This roleset id="spread.02" can be distinguished from the other by the presence/absence of a trace in the object position, pointing to the Arg1. If the above examples was "The oil (was) spread *trace* over the water" then "the water" would be an Arg2 "surface" not an ArgM. Follow the syntax!

Roleset spread.03 Verbnet Class: NONE "cause to be widely located or distributed":

Roles:

Arg0:distributor, agent


Arg1:things distributed

Examples:

with PRD (-)
John spread his arms wide.
Arg0:	John
REL:	spread
Arg1:	his arms
Argm-PRD:	wide




without PRD (-)
John spread his arms.
Arg0:	John
REL:	spread
Arg1:	his arms

Actually quite similar to the "smear" roleset id="spread.05" except for the semantic qualities of the Arg1. And no surface or instrument.