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Tema 13: 
La expresión de la 
cantidad  

Madhatter Wylder 
15/06/2009 
 
 Tema 13:
Exxpresión de canttidad
2

Ta
able of contents
1. Quantity in
n the Nounss._________
____________________
_________________________ 3
1.1. Noun cllasses: Coun
ntable, nonccountable an
nd proper Ns.
N _________________________ 3
1.1.1. Parttitive construcctions. ______________________________
______________________________ 4
1.1.2. Nonncount Ns andd their count eqquivalents _______________
______________________________ 5
1.2. Numbeer _________________________________________
___________________________ 5
1.2.1. Singgular invariablle Ns ____________________________________________________________ 6
1.2.2. Plurral invariable Ns.
N ________________________________ ______________________________ 7
1.2.2.1.. Summation Plurals.
P _____________________________
______________________________ 7
1.2.2.2.. Pluralia tantuum ending in -s _____________________
______________________________ 8
1.2.2.3.. Unmarked pllural Ns. __________________________________________________________ 8
1.2.2.4.. Personal Adjjective Heads. ____________________________________________________ 9
1.2.3. Reggular variable NsN ________________________________ _____________________________ 10
1.2.4. Irreggular variable Ns _____________________________________________________________ 11
1.2.4.1.. Voicing and –s plural. ___________________________
_____________________________ 11
1.2.4.2.. Mutation _______________________________________ _____________________________ 11
1.2.4.3.. The –en pl. __________________________________ _____________________________ 11
1.2.4.4.. Zero Plural __________________________________ _____________________________ 12
1.2.4.5.. Foreign Pl ____________
__ ________________________
_____________________________ 12
1.3. Plural in
i compounds. _____________________________
__________________________ 13
2. Quantity in
n the Verbs.. _________
____________________
________________________ 13
2.1. Subjectt connected by and, with
h, or and noot. ________
__________________________ 14
3. Quantity in
n the Pronoouns. ______
____________________
________________________ 14
3.1. Personaal, reflexive,, demonstraative pronou
uns ________
__________________________ 14
3.2. Indefin
nite Pronoun
ns: compoun
nd and of-prronouns. ___
__________________________ 14
3.2.1. Univversal pronouuns. ________________________________ _____________________________ 15
3.2.2. Asseertive Pronounns. (Positive statements)
s ______________
_____________________________ 16
3.2.3. Nonnassertive Pronnouns. (Negattive statementts & Qs) _____
_____________________________ 16
3.2.4. The negative Pronnouns.______________________________ _____________________________ 16
4. Quantity in
n the determ
miners _____
____________________
________________________ 16
4.1. Centrall determinerrs ______________________________
__________________________ 17
4.2. Predeteerminers. __________________________________
__________________________ 18
4.3. Postdetterminers __________________________________
__________________________ 19
4.4. The artticles in the generic refeerence. _______________
__________________________ 20
4.4.1. The generic use of
o the indefinitte article a/an. ___________
_____________________________ 20
4.4.2. The generic use of
o zero article _______________________ _____________________________ 20
4.4.3. The generic use of
o the definite article the. ______________
_____________________________ 20
Biibliography __________
_ __________
____________________
________________________ 21
Brrief summarry __________________
____________________
________________________ 22

Iván Matella
anes’ Notes
 Tema 13:
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1. Quantity in the Nouns.

1.1. Noun classes: Countable, noncountable and proper Ns. Count/uncount &
Proper Ns
It is necessary, both for grammatical and semantic reasons, to see nouns
as falling into different subclasses. The first one is the distinction btw common
and proper Ns. Proper Ns have a unique reference (Ex.: Spain, Juan Carlos I) Proper Ns: Unique ref

and therefore, number contrast is not possible. There are special

circumstances in which proper Ns are reclassified as common Ns:
Shakespeares (authors like Shakespeare) or Smiths (people whose name is Smith)
Common Ns do not have a unique reference, and number contrast Common Ns: Do not
have unique ref
is thus possible (Ex.: king-kings, country-countries). Common Ns show also a
semantic distinction. They can be classified as countable and noncountable Ns1.
Countable Ns denote countable entities and not an undifferentiated mass Count Ns: Denote
countable entities
(Ex.: Book, bottle, chair). Noncountable Ns must, by contrast, be seen as Uncount Ns: Denote an
undifferentiated mass
denoting an undifferentiated mass or continuum (Ex.: Furniture, grass, music).
Furthermore, we have Ns which can be either countable or noncountable Mixture: Ns that can be
both count & uncount.
(Ex.: brick, cake, paper), in that we can view them either as the non countable

material, or as constituting the countable object.

The house is built of brick.
He used bricks to build the house.
These Ns combining both characteristics may be classified grammatically in MIXTURE OF COUNT/UNCOUNT.

two ways: (a) Either as a lexical class of N which combines the characteristics
As a lexical class
of countable & noncountable Ns, or (b) as two separate items, one count As two
separate
and the other noncount. The former mode of analysis (a) is convenient for Ns items

like brick and cake with little difference in meaning btw the count &
Dual class
noncount usage. Therefore, such Ns will be said to have dual class membership

membership. In other cases (paper), there is no readily perceptible

parallelism but a notable difference btw the two usages:
I want an evening paper (=newspaper; count)
Wrap the parcel up in brown paper (=wrapping paper; noncount)

1
According to Function (Quirk, et al)

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

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Although in sentences such as I like music, I like Sid, the two Ns look superficially
alike in terms of article usage, we will say that music has zero article, but
that Sid has NO article. The label Zero is appropriate in the case of common
Ns which have article contrast (music as opposed to the music):
I like music and dancing
I think the music is too loud in here

Concrete: Bun, pig, toy …

Countable: Abstract: Difficulty, remark …

Dual class membership: Similar meaning → Brick

Common: Mixture: 2 separate items:Paper → Count: newspaper vs. Uncount paper.

Concrete: Buttler, gold, …

Ns Uncountable: Abstract: Music, homework, …

?? Countable: The Smiths, shakespeares …

Proper:
Uncountable: John, Paris … Semantic division:

* Concrete: observable, measurable

* Abstract: non-observable, non-measurable

Schedule of the most important Noun Classes

Partitive constructions
1.1.1. Partitive constructions.
Both count and noncount Ns can enter Partitive constructions, that is, Constructions denoting
a part of a whole
constructions denoting a part of a whole. Such constructions express both
quality partition (a kind of paper) and quantity partition (piece of paper).
Partition in respect of quantity can be found in noncount, plural count &
singular count Ns:
1. Noncount Ns are seen as denoting an undifferentiated mass. However, 1. NONCOUNT NS

the expression of quantity, and thus countability, may be achieved Piece/bit/item + of-phrase

by means of CERTAIN GENERAL PARTITIVE NS, in particular piece, bit,

item followed by an of-phrase:
Singular partitives Plural partitives:
A piece of cake Two pieces of paper → MOST USED. COMBINED W/CONCRETE & ABSTRACT
A bit of chalk Some bits of chalk → SMALL QUANTITY. COMBINED W/ CONCRETE NS
An item of news Several items of news → COMBINED WITH ABSTRACT NS

Quantity of non-count Ns may often be expressed either by

Partitive Ns or by reclassification (two lumps of sugar → Two sugars).

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

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2. Plural count Ns: Whereas the general Partitive a piece of can be used 2. PLURAL COUNT NS

with many of the noncount Ns, it cannot be used with pl Count Ns.
Crowd/packet/series + of-phrase
Other partitives are used:
- A (large) crowd of people.
- A (huge) flock of birds.
- A packet/pack2 of cigarettes.
- A series of incidents.
- A bunch of flowers/teenagers.
3. Singular count Ns: Partition can also be expressed in reference to sing 3. SINGULAR COUNT NS

count Ns: Piece/branch/page/section + of-phrase

- A piece of a loaf.
- A branch of a tree.
- A page of a book.
- A section of a newspaper.

1.1.2. Noncount Ns and their count equivalents

It may be noted that, apart from the tendency for concrete Ns to be
count and for abstract Ns to be noncount, there is no necessary
connection btw the classes of Ns and the objects to which they refer. In some
related Lgs, the Ns corresponding to news, information and money are count
Some uncount Ns do
Ns, but in English they are noncount. There are some noncount Ns which have a count equivalent

have a count equivalent thanks to partitive constructions::

Noncount N Count equivalent
This is important information A piece/bit of information
Have you any news? A piece/bit of good news
A lot of abuse A term/word of abuse
Some good advice A piece/word of advice
Warm applause A round of applauses
The interest is only the 5% A (low) rate of interest

1.2. Number
Number
The English number system constitutes a two-term contrast:
Singular: book
singular, which denotes “one”, and plural, which “denotes more than one”3.
Plural: books
In the following sections, I will concentrate on number as a property of Ns and
Dual: both, (n)either
as basis of their classification.

2
Packet (Br English) and Pack (Am English)
3
In addition to Sing & Pl, we may distinguish dual number in the case of both, either and
neither, since they can only be used with reference to two. Both has a plural concord, and
neither/either have a sing concord.

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

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We distinguish three main number classes of Ns:

(A) Singular invariable Ns: Ns occurring only in the sing, including A
noncount Ns (music, gold) and most proper Ns (Thomas, the Thames). We
can also consider here abstract adj heads (the mystical).
(B) Plural invariable Ns: Ns occurring only in the plural (people, scissors). B
We can also consider here personal adjective heads (the rich).
(C) Regular variable Ns: Ns occurring with either Sing or Pl number.
C
Plurals predictable from the sing (dog).
(D) Irregular variable Ns: Ns occurring with either Sing or Pl number
where the plural is not predictable (foot→feet; child→children).
D

1.2.1. Singular invariable Ns

Noncount Ns are singular and invariable, that is, they have no (A) SING INVARIABLE NS

plural. However, there are some exceptions: A1. Uncount Ns are sing.
There are exceptions
a. Some concrete noncount Ns can be reclassified as count Ns with
Concrete: a beer
specific meanings: Beer ≠ a beer (=a glass of beer).
b. Abstract noncount Ns normally have no plural (music, dirt, homework). Abstract: regrets

However, some can be reclassified as count Ns when they refer to an

instance of a given abstract phenomenon: Injustices, regrets, pleasures.
c. Some noncount Ns denoting Natural phenomena may be pluralized: Natural phenomena:
Snows Kilimanjaro
Walking through the woods. Let’s play on the sands.
Some plurals express intensity, great quantity or extent, and have a
literary flavor:
The snows of Kilimanjaro. The sands of the dessert. Sailing on the great waters.

Note the following classes of invariable Ns ending in –s which take a A1’. Invariable Ns ending
in-s with sing
sing V, except where otherwise mentioned:
A. News is always sing: Here is the news from the BBC. News

B. Ns ending in –ics denoting subjects, sciences, etc are usually Ns ending in –ics:
Mathematics (sing)
invariable and treated as sing: Politics (sing/Pl)

Mathematics is the science of quantities. Other Ex: acoustics, ethics, physics …

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Some, however, can be sing or plural, in particular when such words can
denote both one’s knowledge of the subject and the practical application
of results:
Politics is said to be the art of he impossible [the science of government]
His politics are rather conservative [political views]
C. Names of certain diseases ending in –s are usually treated as sing: Names of diseases
ending in -s.
measles (=sarampion), mumps (=paperas), rickets (=raquitismo), … Measles, mumps …

D. Names of some games ending in -s have sing concord: Billards (but Names of games
ending in -s.
usually: a billiard table), draughts, darts, dominoes, … Billiards, darts …

Proper Ns are usually invariable and sing: Henry, the Thames. However, A2.Proper Ns.
there are special circumstances in which proper Ns are reclassified as common Some can appear
in Pl: Smiths
Ns, thus could appear in the sing or Pl form:
Shakespeares (authors like Shakespeare) or Smiths (people whose name is Smith)

Some adjectives can function as Noun-Phrase (NP) heads with A3. Abstract Adj
Functioning as NP heads
abstract reference. Unlike adjectives, these class concords with the verb Concord with the V
in Sing: The best is
(just as Ns do) in singular: yet to come
They ventured into the unknown, which was …
The best is yet to come.

1.2.2. Plural invariable Ns. (B) PL INVARIABLE NS

Ns occurring only in the plural.

B1.Summation Plurals:
1.2.2.1. Summation Plurals. Tools, instruments and
articles of dress consisting
Summation plurals denote tools, instruments and articles of dress of two equal parts jointed
together
consisting of two equal parts jointed together:
How much are those binocular? --- They are €80
The most common summation plurals are the following:
a. Tools and instruments: Tools/Instruments:
Glasses, forceps …
Bellows, glasses, binoculars, clippers, forceps, scissors …
b. Articles of dress: Articles of dress:
Braces, shorts …
Braces, jeans, knickers, pans, pyjamas, shorts, tights, trousers …

They are not generally

thought of as denoting plural.

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

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Number contrast can be achieved by means of a pair of. Thus, a pair of

trousers refers to one item, but two pairs of trousers refer to two items. Although

summative plural Ns require plural concord, they differ from ordinary

plural Ns in that they are not generally thought of as denoting plural.

… two pairs of trousers

(?)… two trousers [informal]
I want …
… a pair of trousers.
*… one trouser.
(?)… a scissor [informal]

1.2.2.2. Pluralia tantum ending in -s B2.Pluralia tantum (-s):

Ns that, in a given sense,
Some pluralia tantum (that is, Ns that, in a given sense, occur occur only in the plural.
Damages, arms, ashes,
only in the plural) end in –s, whereas others have no plural marking (people). steps …

They have plural concord:

These damages have not yet been paid, have they? [damages = compensation in
money imposed by law for causing los or injury]

In many cases, pluralia tantum ending in –s also have singular forms,

which however can be disassociated (=desvinculadas) in meaning from
the plural.
The damage was repaired long ago [damage = loss, harm]
Other examples of Pluralia tantum:
- Arms [=weapons]: arms aid; arms control; take up arms; ALSO: munitions
- Ashes [=burn to ashes]: Her ashes were spread (BUT: cigarette ash, ashtray, …)
- Steps [=outside a building]: On the church steps

1.2.2.3. Unmarked plural Ns. B3.Unmarked Pl Ns: Ns

The following Ns have no plural marking but are used as plural: with no plural marking but
used as plural.
a. People:
People:
How many people are there in the world today? - Persons official style

People functions as the normal plural of person. Persons is often used

instead of people, especially in official style.
When people means nation, it becomes a regular count N. - People “nation” →
count N
The Japanese are an amazing people.
The English-speaking peoples.

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

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b. Folk: Folk:
- casual style
Folk is more restricted in use than people: country folk, fisher folk, folk

music. Folks is used in casual style (That’s all, folks!) and often with a

possessive determiner in the sense of “family” (My folks).

c. Police: It is used in the collective sense “the police force”. Police:
- Collective sense
He wants to join the police.
To denote an individual police officer we normally use a police officer or - policeman
(individual)
policeman/policewoman.
d. Cattle: All this cattle were grazing in the field. (=ganado) Cattle

e. Poultry [=farmyard birds]: Where are you poultry? Poultry

[farmyard birds]
f. Livestock [=animals kept on farm]: Our livestock are not as numerous as it Livestock [animals
kept on farm]
used to be.

g. Vermin [=bugs]: These vermin cause disease. Vermin [bugs]

Collective Ns differ from other Ns in taking sing or plural coreferents B3.Unmarked Pl

collective: take sing or
without change of number in the N. plural coreferents
without changing the
The committee has/have met and it/they has/have rejected the proposal. number of the N.
Army, jury, college …
The difference reflects a difference in point of view: The singular stresses
the collectivity of the group, and the plural stresses the individuality
within the group. Some collective Ns:
Army, board, enemy, jury, team, clan, college, department, university, …

1.2.2.4. Personal Adjective Heads. B4.Personal Adjective

Adjectives which can premodify personal Ns (the young people) can be heads: Adjectives
which can premodify
personal Ns can be NP
NP heads (the young) with plural and generic reference denoting classes, heads with plural and
generic reference
categories or types of people.
The poor are causing the nation’s leaders great concern.
The extremely old need a great deal of attention.
Notice that these adjectives are restricted to generic reference and take
plural as concord. Hence, the poor cannot denote one person.

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

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1.2.3. Regular variable Ns (C) REGULAR VARIABLE NS

Variable Ns have two forms: Sing and Pl. The singular is the
unmarked form that is listed in dictionaries. The vast majority of Ns are
varied in this way and normally the plural is fully predictable both in
pronunciation and spelling:
1. The pronunciation of the regular plural. The regular –s plural has C1.Pronunciation of
the regular Pl.
three diff pronunciations, depending on the final sound on the base:
a. /Iz/ after bases ending in SIBILANTS (/s/, /z/, /S/, /Z/, /tS/, /dZ/) [Iz] / ___ +sibilants

/s/ in horse → horses /z/ in size → sizes

/S/ in rush → rushes /Z/ in mirage → mirages
/tS/ in church → churches /dZ/ in language → languages

b. /z/ after bases ending in vowels and voiced consonants [z] / ___ V/+Vd Cons

other than sibilants: day → days; bed → beds.

c. /s/ after bases ending in voiceless consonants other than [s] / ___ -Vd Cons

sibilants: bet → bets; month → months.

2. The spelling of the regular plural: The plural suffix is written –s after C2.Spelling of the
regular Pl.: -s
most Ns (hat → hats), including Ns ending en silent –e (college → colleges).
There are, however, several exceptions to the rules:
a. Unless the N is written with a silent –e, the plural suffix is <-es> / ___ sibilants #

spelled –es after Ns ending in sibilants: gas → gases; box →

boxes; church → churches.

b. Ns ending in –o have plurals in –os or oes-: The following are <-o(e)s> / ___ <-o>#

among those Ns which have the plural in –oes (dominoes, heroes,

tomatoes). In other cases, if –o is preceded by a vow, the

spelling is –os (radios, studios). If –o is preceded by a cons, the

spelling is usually –os (pianos, solos).
-OS:
c. Ns ending in –y preceded by a cons change the –y to –i and <-ies> / ___ Cons+<y>#

add -es (sky → skies). However, sometimes –y is kept (day → days).

d. The final cons is doubled in a few words (quiz → quizzes). -CC<-es> / ___ C#

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

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1.2.4. Irregular variable Ns (D) IRREGULAR VARIABLE NS

Irregular plural Ns are by definition unpredictable. Whereas the regular
pluralization can be predicted through phonetic context, there is no indication in
the written or spoken forms of ox to suggest that its plural is oxen. They are
idiosyncratic.

1.2.4.1. Voicing and –s plural. D1.Voicing and –s pl.

1. Some Ns which, in the sing, end in a Vdss interdental fricative /T/
-th/T/ → -ths/Dz/ >
(<–th>) form pl w/the corresponding Vd interdental fricative path → paths

/D/ followed by /z/:

<-th>/T/ → <-ths>/Dz/ > path → paths.

With a Cons letter before the –th, the pronunciation of the plural is -Cth/T/ → -Cths/Tz/
Regularization
regular /Ts/: length / lengT/→ lengths /lengTs/.

2. Some Ns which, in the sing, end in the Vdss labiodental fricative -f/-ef/f/ → -ves/vz/
wife → wives ;
/f/ (spelled <-f> or <-ef>) form pl with the corresponding Vd
half → halves.
labiodental fricative /v/ followed by a /z/ (<-ves>):
<-f/-ef>/f/ → <-ves>/vz/ > wife → wives; half → halves.

3. One N (house) ends in Vdss fricative in the sing /s/ and has the Vd House/haUs/ →
houses/haUzIz/
fricative plural form /zIz/: House /haUs/→ houses /haUzIz/

1.2.4.2. Mutation
The plural is formed by MUTATION (a change of vowel) in the D2.Mutation: Change
of vowel
following seven Ns: Man → men
Man /Q/→ men /e/ Woman/→ women
Foot → feet Tooth → teeth
Goose → geese Louse /au/→ lice /aI/
Mause → mice

1.2.4.3. The –en pl. D3.The –en pl:

Ox → oxen; children &
The –en pl occurs only in three Ns: brethren

- Brother → brethren (with mutation as well) is limited to a fellow

member of a religious society.
- Child /ai/→ children /I/ (with vow change and an /r/ added)
- Ox → Oxen (In AmEnglish the regular form oxes is smtimes found).

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

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1.2.4.4. Zero Plural D4.Zero Plural: Same

form in the sing and in
Some Ns have the same form in both Sing & Pl. We distinguish among the Pl.

different types of Ns with Zero pl:

Animal names: sheep
1. Animal Names normally have the regular form (cow → cows). However,
many animal names have two plurals: -s and Zero. Zero Pl tends to be Regular: cow
used partly by people who are especially concerned with animals, Usually Regular:
Duck∅: mass N
partly when the animals are referred to in the mass: Ducks: diff individuals
Have you ever shot duck? ; We caught only a few fish? Both regular & Zero

The regular plural is used to denote different individuals, species, … Usually Zero: salmon

Always Zero: sheep

Can you see the ducks on the river?; The fishes of the Mediterranean.
2. Nationality Ns ending in –ese also have zero pl: one Chinese → five Nationality Ns: Chinese

Chinese.

3. Quantitive Ns: Quantitive Ns:

a. The Ns dozen, hundred, thousand and milion have zero dozen, hundred,
thousand …
plurals when they are premodified by another quantitive:
Three dozen glasses, several million inhabitants, many thousand times.
b. Foot denoting length and pound denoting weight & Foot (length),
Pound (weight/currency)
currency often have zero plural, particularly when a numeral
follows:
She is only … five foot two / … five foot/feed tall / … five feet (usually)
This ticket costs only … two pound/s fifty / … two pounds.

1.2.4.5. Foreign Pl D5.Foreign Pl

Foreign Pl often occur along with regular pl. They are more
Regular (technical) and
common in technical usage, whereas the –s pl is the most natural in irregular (everyday Lg)

everyday Lg. Thus, antennas (general and in electronics) → antennae (Biology):

A. Ns in –us → pl –i : stimuli. E. Ns in –ex, -ix → pl –ices : appendices. Stimuli, corpora,
curricula, …
B. Ns in –us → pl –a : corpora. F. Ns in –is → pl –es : analyses.
C. Ns in –a → pl –ae : antennae. G. Ns in –on → pl –a : phenomena.
D. Ns in –um → pl –a : curricula. H. Ns in –ou → pl –i : tempi.

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

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1.3. Plural in compounds. Compunds

Compound Ns (that is, Ns which consist of more than one base) form the
Pl in different ways. It is most common, particularly in informal use, to
Different ways to
consider the compound as a simple N and pluralize the last element pluralize Compounds

(even if it is not a Noun, as in sit-ins):

A. Pluralization in the last element (regular form): Pl the last element (reg):
Babysitters, close-ups …
Assistant director → Assistant directors
Babysitter → Babysitters
Close-up → Close-ups

B. Pluralization in the 1st element occurs especially when the Pl the 1st element:
Commanders-in-chief,
compound includes a postmodifier or final particle: men-of-war.

Grant-in-aid → grants-in-aid
Commander-in-chief → Commanders-in-chief
Man-of-war → Men-of-war
Passer-by → passers-by

The following occur with plural either in the first or last element
Attorney general → Attorneys general (ALSO: Attorney generals)
Mother-in-law → Mothers-in-law (ALSO: Mother-in-laws -informal-)

C. Appositional compounds (a woman doctor [‘The doctor is a woman’]) Appositional ones with
st
man/woman as 1 elem:
whose first element is, or includes, man or woman pluralize both Women doctors

the first and the last elements:

Gentleman farmer → Gentlemen farmers
Woman doctor → Women doctors

2. Quantity in the Verbs. Verbs

No distinction is made between the two numbers except in the
present tense, and there it is found in the third person only, which in the
singular carries an –s. In the simple past of the verb to be we have another
solitary example was, plural were.
It should be noted that singular and plural in Vs has nothing to do
with the verbal idea: when we say birds sing, with the plural form of sing
(compared to the singular a bird sings) does not denote several acts of singing,
but several subjects (in this case, birds) performing a single action (sing). It is
only a meaningless grammatical device showing the dependence of
the verb on its subject. Therefore, it is really superfluous to have separate
forms in the V for the two numbers.

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2.1. Subject connected by and, with, or and not.

When the subject consist of a plural word or it is formed by two or more
words joined together by means of and, the V is put in the plural:
Time and tide wait for no man
However, when two joined words form one conception, the verb is put in
the singular:
Father and mother is man and wife; man and wife is one flesh (Shakespeare)
-Postdeterminers

When two words in the singular are connected by means of or or nor the
verb is preferred to be in the singular form:
Neither John nor Peter is good reader of verse.

3. Quantity in the Pronouns. Pronouns

3.1. Personal, reflexive, demonstrative pronouns -Postdeterminers

The irregularity of pronominal inflexion makes it necessary to enumerate
here all the forms:

Singular Plural
I, me We, us
Personal prons

(thou, thee) you You

He, him They, them
She, her They, them
It They, them
Myself Ourselves
Reflexive Prons

Yourself Yourselves
Himself Themselves
Herself Themselves
Itself Themselves
Demonstrative This These
Prons That Those

3.2. Indefinite Pronouns: compound and of-pronouns. Indefinite Prons

Indefinite pronouns lack the element of definiteness which is found in

the personal, reflexive, possessive and demonstrative pronouns. The
indefinite pronouns are, in a logical sense, quantitative. Here you have a
table with the major indefinite pronouns and determiners4:

4
More information about determiners in Section 4

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Count
Number Function Noncount
personal Nonpersonal
Everyone everything
Pronoun Everybody (It (…)) all
Sing
UNIVERSAL

EACH
Determiner EVERY, each All
Pron (they (…)) ALL/BOTH
Plural All
Det
both
Someone
Pron Something
ASSERTIVE

Sing somebody
Det a/an Some
Pron &
SOME
Pl det
Quantifier MANY/A FEW MUCH/A LITTLE
Anyone
Pron Something
NONASSERTIVE

Anybody
Sing
EITHER
Det ANY
ANY
Pron &
Pl ANY
det
NO ONE NOTHING
Sing
Pron NOBOBY
NONE
NONE
NEGATIVE

Pron & det NEITHER

Pl Pron NONE
Sing or
Det no
pl

The indefinite prons are divided into two main categories according to Indefinite Prons
their morphology and their syntactic behavior. On the one hand the compound
prons are those which are composed of two morphemes (a determiner
morpheme every-, some-, any- or no- & a nominal morpheme -one, -body or –
thing). On the other hand, the remaining indefinite prons belong to a category
which is called of-pronouns bc they can be followed by a partitive of-phrase.

1. UNIVERSAL PRONS
3.2.1. Universal pronouns.
1. All and both: All is used with plural Ns for quantities more than two,
All, both
and both is used with plural Ns for quantities of two only elements
(dual number):
All and both are prons when followed
Both (of) his parents died young. by of. Otherwise are determiners.
All (of) the children were working hard

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16

2. Each and every: Each, every and the compounds with every- can be Each, every
Distributive prons
termed DISTRIBUTIVE, because they pick out the member of a set
individually, rather than consider them as a mass. They are
therefore sing in number.

3.2.2. Assertive Pronouns. (Positive statements) 2. ASSERTIVE PRONS

1. Some occurs most typically with plural and noncount Ns:
some
Some (of the rolls) have been eaten
Some (of the bread) have been eaten
Many ≠ a few
2. Many/much and a few/a little: These pronouns are antonyms with a
Much ≠ a little
similar distribution. Many [a large number] contrasts with a few [a
small number] (BOTH COUNT), and Much [a large amount] contrasts
with a little [a small amount] (BOTH NONCOUNT):
I know [many ≠ a few] people in Boston. > Countable.
I have eaten [too much ≠ a little] (food) > Noncountable.

3.2.3. Nonassertive Pronouns. (Negative statements & Qs) 3. NONSSERTIVE PRONS

Any is distinguished from either in representing a choice btw three or
Any, either
more, while either limits the choice to two. Thus, either, like both and
neither, has dual meaning. The of-pronouns are anyone and anybody.

4. NEGATIVE PRONS
3.2.4. The negative Pronouns.
The negative of-pronouns are none and neither and the compound
None, neither.
prons are nobody, no one and nothing. Neither differs from none, as either Nobody, no one, nothing.
Few, little.
does from any. Few and little, though not morphologically negative, are
negative in meaning and in syntactic behavior.

4. Quantity in the determiners Determiners

When used in discourse, NPs refer to the linguistic or situational
context. The kind of reference a particular NP has depends on its
DETERMINATIVE elements, that is, the item which determines it. This function
is typically realized by a set of closed-class items, or determiners, which occur
What a first day !

NOUN
-Postdeterminers
before the N acting as head of the NP (or before its premodifiers). We
NP

-Central det
distinguish three classes of determiners: (1) Central determiner (the, a …),
-Predeterminers
(2) Predeterminers (half, all, …), and (3) Postdeterminers (cardinal numbers, many …).
These classes have been set up on the basis of their position in the NP.

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Tema 13:
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17

4.1. Central determiners

A.CENTRAL DETERMINERS
There are certain cooccurrence restrictions btw articles and common Ns.
The central determiners can be divided into five types with respect to 5 classes with respect
to their environment:
their cooccurrence with the N classes (sing count, pl count & noncount):
1. DETERMINERS OF SING COUNT, PLURAL COUNT AND NONCOUNT: 1. Determiners in all
contexts:
the
a. The definite article the: Where do you want to put the chair(s)/furniture?
poss prons as det:
b. The possessive prons as determiners: my, our, your, his, my, our …

her, its, their: Have you ever seen my suitcase(s)/luggage?

c. The wh-determiners in –ever: Vote for whichever proposal. wh-determiners in –ever

d. Interrogative determiners what, which, whose: What color? Interrogative det what ...

e. Negative determiner no: The sign said: “No parking”. Negative determiner no.

2. Det with pl count

2. DETERMINERS OF PLURAL COUNT AND NONCOUNT NS: and uncount Ns:

a. Zero article: There were people everywhere. Zero Art.

b. The assertive 5 det some (/s∂m/) and the nonassertive 6 det Det Some/any

any: I want some rolls; Have we got any rolls?

c. The quantitive determiner enough: I haven’t got enough Quantitative det enough

equipment/tools to do the job.

3. DETERMINERS OF SING COUNT AND NONCOUNT NS: 3. Det with sing count
and uncount Ns:
a. The demonstrative determiners this/that: Have you ever read Demonstrative det
this/that.
this/that book?

4. DETERMINERS OF PLURAL COUNT NS: 4. Det w/pl count Ns:

a. The demonstratives determiners these/those: Have you ever Demonstrative det

these/those.
seen these/those plays?

5. DETERMINERS OF SING COUNT NS: 5. Det w/sing count

Ns:
Indef art a/an
a. The indefinite art a/an: Have you got a pen?
b. The universal determiners every and each: I want to interview Every and each

every/each student individually.

c. The nonassertive det either: You can park on either side. Either

d. The negative determiner neither: Neither party accepted the Neither

arbitration proposal.

5
Grammatical forms associated with positive statements
6
Grammatical forms associated with negative, interrogative and conditional statements.

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Tema 13:
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18

Brief summary of central determiners:

Predeterminers CENTRAL DET Postdeterminers NOUN

Type Sing Pl Noncount Examples
Count count
1. + + + The; poss prons as det (my, our …); wh-det in –
ever; interr det (what …); Negative det no
2. - + + Zero art; det some/any; Quantitative det enough

3. + - + Demonstrative dets this/that

4. - + - Demonstrative dets these/those.

5. + - - Indef art a/an; every and each; either; neither

4.2. Predeterminers. B. PREDETERMINERS

PREDETERMINERS Central det Postdeterminers

NOUN

Predeterminers, which can occur before certain central determiners, include:

7
1. ALL, BOTH AND HALF : These Predeterminers have restrictions of 1. All, both, half.

cooccurrence. As they are themselves quantifiers, they cannot occur

with quantitative determiners (every, neither, each, some, any,
no, enough).
All (the) day; half my days; half the furniture; * all each days; *both any day
2. THE MULTIPLIERS DOUBLE, TWICE, THREE TIMES … : 2. Double, twice,
His brother is twice his age. three times …

3. THE FRACTIONS ONE-THIRD, ONE-FIFTH …: They can be followed by 3.One-third, one-

fifth …
determiners. Unlike the multipliers, fractions have the alternative
of-construction.
He did it in [ one-third / a third] (of) the time it took me
4. SUCH, WHAT.
4. Such, what
Such a surprise! What a fine day!
Predeterminers are mutually exclusive:
All girls, both girls but: *all both girls

7
All three can also be used as independent pronouns: All/Both/Half passed the exams.

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Tema 13:
Expresión de cantidad
19

4.3. Postdeterminers C. POSTDETERMINERS

Postdeterminers follow Predeterminers or central determiners (if such

occur). But they precede any adjectives and other premodifying items.
Adjs and NOUN
Predeterminers Central det POSTDETERMINERS premodifying
items
Postdeterminers include:
1. Cardinal numerals: One cooccurs with sing count Ns (one sister), and 1. Cardinal Numerals:
one, two, …
the other cardinals occur with plural count Ns (two/three brothers).
2. Ordinal numerals: The ordinal numerals have a one-to-one relation 2. Ordinals Numerals:
fourth, fifth, sixth …
with cardinals: first/one, second/two, third/three …
a. The GENERAL ORDINALS include items like next, last, past, General ordinals: next,
additional, last, past …
(an)other, additional and further which resemble the ordinal
numerals grammatically and semantically.
3. Closed-class quantifiers: There are two small groups of closed- 3. Closed-class
quantifiers:
class quantifiers which function as Postdeterminers:
a. Many, (a) few & several cooccur only with plural count Ns: Many, (a) few,
several
There were [too many / only a few / several] mistakes in your essay.

b. Much 8 and (a) little co-occur only with noncount Ns: Much, (a) little
Josephine hasn’t got much money; Josephine has only got a little money.
In the case of (a) few [=small number] and (a) little [=small quantity],
there is a positive/negative contrast according to whether the indefinite
article is used or not
+ He wrote a few books [some, several] He wrote a little poetry [some]
- He wrote few books [not many] He wrote little poetry[not much]
4. open-class quantifiers: There is also a large open class of phrasal 4. open-class
quantifiers:
quantifiers which function semantically like the closed-class
a lot of, a great
quantifiers, but most of which consist of a N of quantity (lot, deal, deal of, a large
number of, a small
amount …) followed by of and often preceded by the indefinite amount of …

art a/an. Some of these can cooccur equally with noncount and pl
count Ns.
The room had [plenty of / a lot of / lots of] [students / furniture]
The box had [a great deal / a large quantity / a small amount] of money]

8
Typically used in nonassertive sentences.

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Tema 13:
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20

4.4. The articles in the generic reference. Articles in the

generic reference.
In discussing the use of articles, we must distinguish btw specific &
generic reference. Compare these two sentences:
[1] A lion and two tigers are sleeping in the cage
[2] Tigers are dangerous animals.
In [1] the reference is specific, since we have in mind a particular specimen
of the class “tiger”. But if we say [2], the reference is generic, since we are
thinking of the class “tiger” without specific reference to a particular animal.

4.4.1. The generic use of the indefinite article a/an. Indefinite a/an:
The generic use of a/an picks out any representative member of the Any = a/an

class. Thus, any can substitute a/an in examples like:

The best way to learn a language (or any language) is to live among its speakers.
However, a/an cannot be used in attributing properties which belong to the
class or species as a whole:
[The tiger is /∅ Tigers are] becoming almost extinct.
* A tiger is becoming almost extinct.

4.4.2. The generic use of zero article Zero article.

The generic use of zero article with both plural count Ns and
noncount Ns:
∅ Cigarettes are bad for your health
∅ Hydrogen is lighter than ∅ Oxigen

4.4.3. The generic use of the definite article the. Definite the: Any = a/an

1. With sing NP: The is rather limited in its generic function. With sing
heads, it is often formal or literary in tone:
My colleague has written a book on the definite article in Spanish.
2. Generic the occurs with plural NP in (a) nationality names or ethnic
groups (the Chinese, the English …) and in (b) phrases with an adj head
referring to a group of people (The unemployed [people who are
unemployed], the blind, the rich …).

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Tema 13:
Exxpresión de canttidad
21

Bibliogra
aphy CEDE
C
-QQuirk, R et al (1985), A comp
mprehensive grrammar of Eng glish. Editorial
E MAD
- FO
ONT TYPE Sylldous NEEDED D to read the read
r the text

1. The
T Noun.
unt-noncount)); 5.6-9; 5-73--102 (number in the N)
Quirk: 5.2-4 (cou
2. The
T Verb.
CEDDE
3. The
T Pronoun n.
CEDDE; Quirk: 6.4
45-62
4. The
T Determiiner.
Quirk: 5.10; 5.13
3-25 (classes of
o Det); 5.52-59 (arts. gene
eric reference))

Iván Matella
anes’ Notes
 Topic 13: Brief summary

Brief summary
- QUANTITY IN NS Concrete: Bun, pig, toy …

Countable: Abstract: Difficulty, remark …

Dual class membership: Similar meaning → Brick

Common: Mixture: 2 separate items:Paper → Count: newspaper vs. Uncount paper.

(= NO unique
reference) Concrete: Butter, gold, …

Ns Uncountable: Abstract: Music, homework, …

?? Countable: The Smiths, shakespeares …

Proper:
(= Unique reference) Uncountable: John, Paris …
PARTITIVE CONSTRUCTION: A construction denoting a part of a whole which expresses quality of partition (piece of paper)

NONCOUNT NS may achieve PL COUNT NS: a piece of cannot be used with pl SING COUNT NS: Partitives used:
expression of quantity by means of Count Ns. Other partitives are used: - A piece of a loaf.
certain general partitive Ns: piece, - A packet/pack of cigarettes - A branch of a tree.
bit, item followed by an of-phrase. - A bunch of flowers/teenagers. - A page of a book.

English NUMBER SYSTEM constitutes a two-term contrast: sing, which denotes “one”, & pl, which “denotes more
than one. Dual number also exists in English (reference to two), but only in a few constructions (both, either & neither)
SING INVARIABLE NS: Ns occurring only in the sing, including noncount Ns (gold) & most Proper Ns (the Thames).
- Noncount Ns are sing and have no plural, except for:
♦ Concrete noncount Ns can be reclassified as count Ns with specific meanings: Beer ≠ a beer (=a glass of beer)
♦ Abstract noncount Ns can be reclassified as count Ns: regrets
♦ Noncount Ns denoting Natural phenomena may be pluralized: snows of the kilimanjaro.
- Invariable Ns ending in –s which take a sing V:
- News - Diseases ending in –s: measles.
- Ns ending in –ics: Mathematics, politics … - Games ending in –s: Billiards, darts …

- Proper Ns are usually invariable and sing. However, there are special circumstances in which they are reclassified as common
Ns, thus could appear in the sing or Pl form: The Smiths (a group of people, family or not, who share the same surname)

PLURAL INVARIABLE NS: Ns occurring only in the plural (people, scissors).

- SUMMATION PLURALS denote tools, instruments (glasses) & articles of dress (Jeans) consisting of two equal parts jointed together.

- PLURALIA TANTUM (that is, Ns that, in a given sense, occur only - UNMARKED PLURAL NS: - ADJS FUNCTIONING AS
in the plural) end in –s: Damages (=Compensation in money People Police Poultry Livestock HEAD OF THE NP::
imposed by law for causing loss or injury); Arms (=weapons) Folk Cattle Vermin The poor; the rich ...

REGULAR VARIABLE NS: Ns occurring with either Sing or Pl number. Plurals predictable from the sing form.
- Regular pronunciation: - Regular Spelling:
♦ [Iz] / ___ +sibilants ♦ <-es> / ___ sibilants # ♦ <-ies> / ___ Cons+<y>#
♦ [z] / ___ Vow/+Vd Cons ♦ <-o(e)s> / ___ <-o># ♦ -CC<-es> / ___ C#
♦ [s] / ___ -Vd Cons

IRREGULAR VARIABLE NS: Ns occurring with either Sing or Pl number where the plural is not predictable.
- Voicing and –s plural: - Mutation:
♦ -th/T/ → -ths/Dz/ > path → paths ♦ Man /Q/→ men /e/ ♦ Woman/→ women ♦ Goose → geese
♦ -f/-ef/f/ → -ves/vz/ wife → wives ; half → halves. ♦ Foot → feet ♦ Tooth → teeth ♦ Mouse → mice
♦ House /haUs/ → houses /haUzIz/ - -en plural:
- Zero Plural: ♦ Brother → brethren ♦ child → children ♦ Ox → Oxen
♦ Animal Names: sheep.
♦ Nationalities: Chinese. - Foreign plural:
♦ Quantitive: dozen, hundred million; foot (length) ♦ stimuli ♦ antennae ♦ curricula
♦ appendices ♦ phenomenon ♦ analyses

st
PLURAL IN COMPOUNDS: - Appositional compounds whose first element is, or includes, man or woman pluralize both the 1 & the last
elements: Woman doctor → Women doctor
st
- Pluralization in the 1 element: - Pluralization in the last element (regular form):
♦ Commander-in-chief → Commanders-in-chief ♦ Babysitter → Babysitters
 Topic 13: Brief summary
23

QUANTITY IN VS
No distinction is made between the two numbers except in the present tense, & there it is found in the 3rd pers only,
which in the sing carries an –s. In the simple past of the verb to be we have another solitary example was, pl were
Number in VS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE VERBAL IDEA: birds sing does not denote several acts of singing, but several
subjects (in this case, birds) performing a single action (sing).

- QUANTITY IN PRONS
- PERSONAL, REFLEXIVE and DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS:
Myself Ourselves Demonstrative This These Singular Plural
Reflexive

Yourself Yourselves Prons That Those I, me We, us

Prons

Personal
Himself themselves (thou, thee) you You

prons
Herself Themselves He, him They, them
Itself Themselves She, her They, them
It They, them
- INDEFINITE PRONOUNS:
Count Uncount
Number Function
personal Nonpersonal
I have Compound Everyone everything
UNIVERSAL

bought all Sing Prons Everybody (It (…)) all

the fruit you Every / each (members of a set individually)
asked me Of Prons all (Pl Ns with more than two) /both (Pl Ns with two)
Plural

I have Compound Someone

Sing Something
ASSERTIVE

bought Prons somebody Some

some fruit Of Prons Some
you asked. Pl
Quantifier Many (A large number)/a few (A small number) Much/a little
Anyone
Compound
Anybody Something ANY
ASSERTIVE

Have you Sing

prons
NON

bought any
fruit ?
Pl Of Pron Any (Choice btw 3 or +) / Either (limits the choice to 2)
I have Compound NO ONE NOTHING
Sing NONE
NEGAT

bought Prons NOBOBY

IVE

none. Pl Of prons None (Choice btw 3 or +) /Neither (limits the choice to 2)

- QUANTITY IN DETERMINERS
- The kind of reference a particular NP has depends on its determinative elements. This Fn is typically realized by a
set of determiners which occur before the N head of the NP. We distinguish 3 classes of determiners: (1) PRE-
DETERMINERS (half, all, …), (2) CENTRAL DETERMINER (the, a …)& (3) POSTDETERMINERS (cardinal numbers, many …).

PREDETERMINERS CENTRAL DET POSTDETERMINER NOUN

♦ All, both & half: They cannot Sing Pl Non- Examples ♦ CARDINAL NUMERALS: one, two, …
Count count count
occur with quantitative determiners ♦ ORDINALS NUMERALS: fourth, fifth, sixth …
(every, neither, each, some, any, + + + Def art the; poss prons (my, our …);
GENERAL ORDINALS include items like
wh-det in –ever; interr det (what …);
no, enough) next, last, past, (an)other, additional &
Negative det no
♦ THE MULTIPLIERS double, twice, further which resemble the ordinals
three times. - + + Zero art; det some/any; Quantitative numerals grammatically & semantically
♦ THE FRACTIONS one-third, one- det enough ♦ CLOSED-CLASS QUANTIFIERS: (1) Many, (a) few,
fifth. several w/pl count Ns & (2) Much, (a) little with
♦ Such & what + - + Demonstrative dets this/that noncount Ns
- + - Demonstrative dets these/those. ♦ OPEN-CLASS QUANTIFIERS: a lot of, a great deal
of, a large number of, a small amount of …
+ - - Indef art a/an; every and each;
either; neither
- ARTICLES IN THE GENERIC REFERENCE: Articles can be specific (element of a class) or generic (class as a whole).
- GENERIC USE OF THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE a/an: The best way to learn a Lg (or any Lg) is to live among its speakers
- GENERIC USE OF THE ZERO ARTICLE with both pl count Ns and noncount Ns: ∅ Cigarettes are bad for your health; ∅
Hydrogen is lighter than ∅ Oxigen
- GENERIC USE OF THE DEFINITE ARTICLE the:
♦ With sing NP: formal tone → My colleague has written a book on the definite article in Spanish.
♦ With Pl NP: (a) nationality names or ethnic groups (the Chinese, the English …) & in (b) phrases with an adj head
referring to a group of people (The unemployed [people who are unemployed], the blind, the rich …)
Iván Matellanes’ Notes