Two types of class B numeral modifiers: A reply to Nouwen 2010

Abstract

Nouwen (2010) proposes that numeral modifiers like “at most” and “up to” belong to a natural class of expressions that share the same semantic interpretation. We identify several semantic contrasts between “at most” and “up to” that are inconsistent with this proposal. Moreover, we show that Nouwen’s semantics cannot be right for “at most”. In attempting to apply his semantics to “up to”, we propose an amendment intended to accomodate certain observations not captured in Nouwen’s original account. http://dx.doi.org/10.3765/sp.5.1 BibTeX info

Keywords

• modified numerals
• degree scales
• ignorance implications
• monotonicity
• weak numerals