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Almost There: The Meaning of almost
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In: Sinn und Bedeutung; Bd. 10 Nr. 2 (2006): Proceedings of Sinn und Bedeutung 10; 275-286 ; Proceedings of Sinn und Bedeutung; Vol 10 No 2 (2006): Proceedings of Sinn und Bedeutung 10; 275-286 ; 2629-6055 (2019)
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Abstract:
Modifiability by almost has been used as a test for the quantificational force of a DP without stating the meaning of almost explicitly. The aim of this paper is to give a semantics for almost applying across categories and to evaluate the validity of the almost test as a diagnosis for universal quantifiers. It is argued that almost is similar to other cross-categorial modifiers such as at least or exactly in referring to alternatives ordered on a scale. I propose that almost evaluates alternatives in which the modified expression is replaced by a value close by on the corresponding Horn scale. It is shown that a semantics for almost that refers to scalar alternatives derives the correct truth conditions for almost and explains selectional restrictions. At the same time, taking the semantics of almost seriously invalidates the almost test as a simple diagnosis for the nature of quantifiers.
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URL: https://doi.org/10.18148/sub/2006.v10i2.690 https://ojs.ub.uni-konstanz.de/sub/index.php/sub/article/view/690
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The interpretation of superlative modifiers and deontic modals: An experimental investigation
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In: Sinn und Bedeutung; Bd. 18 (2014): Proceedings of Sinn und Bedeutung 18; 271-288 ; Proceedings of Sinn und Bedeutung; Vol 18 (2014): Proceedings of Sinn und Bedeutung 18; 271-288 ; 2629-6055 (2019)
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At most at last
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In: Sinn und Bedeutung; Bd. 19 (2015): Proceedings of Sinn und Bedeutung 19; 483-500 ; Proceedings of Sinn und Bedeutung; Vol 19 (2015): Proceedings of Sinn und Bedeutung 19; 483-500 ; 2629-6055 (2019)
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One many, many readings
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In: Sinn und Bedeutung; Bd. 21 Nr. 2 (2018): Proceedings of Sinn und Bedeutung 21; 933-950 ; Proceedings of Sinn und Bedeutung; Vol 21 No 2 (2018): Proceedings of Sinn und Bedeutung 21; 933-950 ; 2629-6055 (2019)
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