Comparative vs. superlative quantifiers Superlative and comparative ...

Superlative vs. comparative Indefinites, numerals, and scales Comparative modifiers Superlative modifiers Experimental evidence
Puzzle #3: Distributional restrictions
By and large, superlative modifiers occur more freely than their
comparative counterparts:
[1] I might survive a few days {at most/∗fewer than}.
[2] It actually dates back to {at least/∗more than} the 14th century.
[3] Men like me because I don’t wear a brassiere. Women like me
because I don’t look like a girl who would steal a husband.
{At least/∗More than} not for long.
But in some ways superlatives are more restricted.
Bart Geurts & Rick Nouwen: Comparative vs. superlative quantifiers
Superlative vs. comparative Indefinites, numerals, and scales Comparative modifiers Superlative modifiers Experimental evidence
Distributional restrictions (cont.)
Downward entailing contexts
[1] Bach wrote more/fewer than 27 fugues.
Bach wrote at least/most 27 fugues.
[2] Bach didn’t write more/fewer than 27 fugues.
?Bach didn’t write at least/most 27 fugues.
[3] No composer wrote more/fewer than 27 fugues.
?No composer wrote at least/most 27 fugues.
[4] Few composers wrote more/fewer than 27 fugues.
?Few composers wrote at least/most 27 fugues.
Bart Geurts & Rick Nouwen: Comparative vs. superlative quantifiers