The type of adjectives

Abstract

A compositional analysis of a range of readings of comparison constructions, as well as the positive form is proposed, which, unlike previous accounts, is compatible with multidimensional adjectives and has the power to explain differences between them and nouns. To this end, adjectives are represented as properties of dimensional quantifiers, namely of sets of gradable properties; e.g., healthy  λGQ<et,t>. n-many(λF.F is a health dimension, λF.GQ(F)), where many denotes a cardinality function and n sets up a standard. Comparison morphemes either set the standard of many or of the dimensions. Consequences are discussed for our understanding of the adjective-noun distinction and for the analysis of gradable morphology.