Nouns and Noun Phrases - University of Macau Library

Binominal constructions 621
(126) a. ? een kistje sinaasappels [RC1 die verrot zijn] [RC2 dat kapot is]
a boxdim [of] oranges that rotten are that broken is
a′. *een kistje sinaasappels [RC2 dat kapot is] [RC1 die verrot zijn]
b. [een [kistje [sinaasappelsi diei verrot zijn]]j datj kapot is]
For completeness’ sake, note that the same order restriction seem to hold when
the modifiers are respectively a PP and a relative clause. The examples show that
the modifier of N2 always precedes the modifier of N1; example (127b′) is of course
grammatical but not under the intended reading that the oranges are from Spain.
(127) a. een kistje sinaasappels [RC die verrot waren] [PP met roestige spijkers]
a boxdim [of] oranges that rotten were with rusty nails
a′. *een kist sinaasappels [met roestige spijkers] [die verrot waren]
b. een kistje sinaasappels [PP uit Spanje] [RC2 dat kapot is]
a boxdim [of] oranges from Spain that broken is
b′. # een kistje sinaasappels [RC2 dat kapot is] [PP uit Spanje]
IV. Conclusion
This section has shown that both N1 and N2 can be modified. When N1 is modified, it
seems that the complete QC is in the scope of the modifier. When N2 is modified
either the complete QC or the projection of N2 can be in the scope of the modifier,
depending on the status of N1: when N1 is purely quantificational, both structures
seem available; when it is referential the scope of the modifier seems restricted to
the projection of N2.
4.1.1.6. A note on partitive and pseudo-partitive constructions
This section discusses the partitive and pseudo-partitive construction, which are
exemplified in (128a) and (128b) respectively. The primed examples show that
these constructions occur not only with cardinal numerals but also in the
quantificational binominal constructions (QCs) discussed in the previous sections.
Although the partitive and pseudo-partitive constructions seem identical at first
sight, we will show that they behave quite differently. More specifically we will
argue that, as the name already suggests, pseudo-partitive constructions are in fact
not partitive constructions; despite appearances, the phrase van die lekkere koekjes
in the (b)-examples is not a PP but a noun phrase. After a brief general introduction
of the constructions in 4.1.1.6.1, which will also make clear why we discuss these
constructions in this section on QCs, Section 4.1.1.6.2 will discuss the differences
between the two constructions.
(128) a. Vier van de koekjes lagen op tafel.
four of the cookies lay on the.table
a′. Een paar van de koekjes lagen op tafel.
a couple of the cookies lay on the.table
b. Ik wil graag vier van die lekkere koekjes.
I want please four of those tasty cookies
b′. Ik wil graag een paar van die lekkere koekjes.
I want please a couple of those tasty cookies