Nouns and Noun Phrases - University of Macau Library

918 Syntax of Dutch: nouns and noun phrases
Example (145) shows that the formal strong quantifier menig cannot be used as
an independent argument, which may be related to the fact that, when the referent is
[+HUMAN], the special form menigeen is used; a corresponding [-HUMAN] form
does not exist, though.
(145) a. Menig staker werd ontslagen.
many striker was fired
‘Many strikers were fired.’
b. Menigeen/*Menig werd ontslagen.
many was fired
The examples in (146a&b) show that the phrase-like quantifiers deze of gene
and een of ander can also be used independently. The latter is special, however,
since it can be preceded by a definite determiner and must therefore be analyzed as
the head of an NP. The construction as a whole is also special, since the article het
does not make the noun phrase definite, which is clear from the fact that it occurs in
an expletive construction. In this connection it can be noted that het een of ander
seems to be in a paradigm with het een en ander in (146b′), the head of which
cannot be used as a modifier. The latter differs from the former in that (despite its
triggering singular agreement on the verb) it is semantically plural in the sense that
it refers to a non-singleton set of entities. Finally, example (146c) shows that het
nodige can also be used independently.
(146) a. Deze of gene heeft geklaagd.
this or that has complained
‘Somebody (or other) has complained.’
b. Er is gisteren het een of ander gebeurd.
there is yesterday the one or other happened
‘Something has happened yesterday.’
b′. Er is gisteren het een en ander gebeurd.
there is yesterday the one and other happened
‘Several things have happened yesterday.’
c. Er is gisteren het nodige gebeurd.
there is yesterday the needed happened
‘A good many things have happened yesterday.’
6.2.4. Degree quantifiers
This section discusses degree quantifiers. Section 6.2.4.1 deals with their use as
modifiers of the noun phrase. Section 6.2.4.2 is concerned with their independent
use as arguments; degree quantifiers cannot be used as floating quantifiers.
6.2.4.1. Use as modifier
This section discusses the use of gradable quantifiers as modifiers of the noun
phrase. We will start with a discussion of the high/low degree quantifiers
veel/weinig ‘many/few’, which indicate that the cardinality involved is higher/lower
than some tacitly assumed norm. After that, we will discuss the degree quantifiers