Comparative vs. superlative quantifiers Superlative and comparative ...

Superlative vs. comparative Indefinites, numerals, and scales Comparative modifiers Superlative modifiers Experimental evidence
‘Fewer than’
◮ ‖fewer than α‖ = λx∃α ′ [α ⊲ α ′ ∧ α ′ (x)]
So: ‖Betty read ∅[fewer than [[three] F books]]‖ =
∃x[#x < 3 ∧ book(x) ∧ read(b, x)]
Unfortunately, this is too weak.
[Actually, it’s a tautology.]
◮ Implicature saves:
¬∃x[#x ≥ 3 ∧ book(x) ∧ read(b, x)]
◮ If this is an implicature it should be cancellable—which it is:
[1] You may take fewer than three cards.
[2] ∃x[#x < 3 ∧ card(x) ∧ take(y, x)]
[3] ¬∃x[#x ≥ 3 ∧ card(x) ∧ take(y, x)]
Bart Geurts & Rick Nouwen: Comparative vs. superlative quantifiers
Superlative vs. comparative Indefinites, numerals, and scales Comparative modifiers Superlative modifiers Experimental evidence
Superlative modifiers
Bart Geurts & Rick Nouwen: Comparative vs. superlative quantifiers