Polarity sensitivity and collocational restrictions of adverbs of degree
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Henny Klein
Abstract
The availability of a wide choice of adverbs of degree, partly with distinct features, gives the speaker the possibility to communicate much more than simply a degree. Two additional features — informative and emotional value — can be expressed, and these impose restrictions on the contexts in which a specific adverb of degree can be used, restrictions on the polarity of the sentence on the one hand, on the polarity of the modified element on the other hand. These restrictions are partly interdependent, and in the rare case that only the emotional value of the adverb is specified, we find polarity sensitivity not at the lexical, but at the constructional level. These general findings are illustrated with material from Dutch.
Abstract
The availability of a wide choice of adverbs of degree, partly with distinct features, gives the speaker the possibility to communicate much more than simply a degree. Two additional features — informative and emotional value — can be expressed, and these impose restrictions on the contexts in which a specific adverb of degree can be used, restrictions on the polarity of the sentence on the one hand, on the polarity of the modified element on the other hand. These restrictions are partly interdependent, and in the rare case that only the emotional value of the adverb is specified, we find polarity sensitivity not at the lexical, but at the constructional level. These general findings are illustrated with material from Dutch.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction vii
- Negative quantifier noun phrases 1
- On the typology of negative modals 23
- Metalinguistic sentence negation in child English 49
- Lexical sensitivity in negative polarity verbs 79
- Varieties of polarity items and the (non)veridicality hypothesis 99
- Scalarity and polarity 129
- Flaubert triggers, squatitive negation, and other quirks of grammar 173
- On the monotonicity of polar adjectives 201
- Polarity sensitivity and collocational restrictions of adverbs of degree 223
- Even -incorporated NPIs in Hindi definites and correlatives 237
- Perfective sentences under negation and durative adverbials 265
- Negative polarity and the syntax of taboo 283
- Neg-Raising 331
- Name index 357
- Subject index 363
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction vii
- Negative quantifier noun phrases 1
- On the typology of negative modals 23
- Metalinguistic sentence negation in child English 49
- Lexical sensitivity in negative polarity verbs 79
- Varieties of polarity items and the (non)veridicality hypothesis 99
- Scalarity and polarity 129
- Flaubert triggers, squatitive negation, and other quirks of grammar 173
- On the monotonicity of polar adjectives 201
- Polarity sensitivity and collocational restrictions of adverbs of degree 223
- Even -incorporated NPIs in Hindi definites and correlatives 237
- Perfective sentences under negation and durative adverbials 265
- Negative polarity and the syntax of taboo 283
- Neg-Raising 331
- Name index 357
- Subject index 363
