Comparative vs. superlative quantifiers Superlative and comparative ...

Superlative vs. comparative Indefinites, numerals, and scales Comparative modifiers Superlative modifiers Experimental evidence
Pilot study on reasoning in adults (n = 6!)
Fred had . . .
[1] a. at least 3 beers ⇔ more than 2 beers
b. at most 2 beers ⇔ fewer than 3 beers
[2] a. 3 beers ⇒ more than 2 beers
b. 3 beers at least 3 beers
[3] a. 2 beers ⇒ fewer than 3 beers
b. 2 beers at most 2 beers
[4] a. 3 or 4 beers ⇒ at least 3 beers
b. 1 or 2 beers ⇒ at most 2 beers
[5] a. at least 3 beers ⇒ at least 2 beers
b. at most 2 beers at most 3 beers
c. fewer than 3 beers ⇒ fewer than 4 beers
Bart Geurts & Rick Nouwen: Comparative vs. superlative quantifiers
Superlative vs. comparative Indefinites, numerals, and scales Comparative modifiers Superlative modifiers Experimental evidence
Summary
Key assumptions:
◮ Scalar modifiers are focus-sensitive and operate on scales.
◮ Comparative modifiers are extensional and take first-order
predicates as arguments.
◮ Superlative quantifiers are modals and take any type of predicate
as argument.
These assumptions enable us to solve our four puzzles:
Puzzle #1: Specificity
Puzzle #2: Inference patterns
Puzzle #3: Distributional restrictions
Puzzle #4: Missing readings
Bart Geurts & Rick Nouwen: Comparative vs. superlative quantifiers