Exhaustivity, homogeneity and definiteness

Abstract

In this paper, it will be argued that the Homogeneity Presupposition (Fodor 1970, Loebner 2000, Schwarzschild 1993) does not provide an adequate account of the tendency of plurals to obtain exhaustive, 'any'-interpretations in negative contexts. It is argues that Krifka's (1996) rule for plural predication would do better if it were restricted to arguments which are in some sense definite. An analysis is sketched which locates the optionality of plural interpretations in definite noun phrases rather than in the predication.