TY - CHAP
T1 - Non-numerical quantifiers
AU - Smith, Adam
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - This paper looks at non-numerical quantifiers (NNQs), such as a lot of, loads of. The set of quantifiers to be discussed is first identified in relation to their description in major English grammars. Issues of variable noun complementation and verb agreement with the NNQ are identified as being of interest, along with the choice of quantifier and its collocations in different regions (Australian, New Zealand and British English) and registers. Corpus findings for a lot/lots of are compared with other NNQs where the quantifying noun can be singular or plural (ONNQs), indicating a level of delexicalization/grammaticization. Some regional variation was found, with the ONNQ loads of much more frequent in British English, and heaps of more freqent in Australian and New Zealand English.
AB - This paper looks at non-numerical quantifiers (NNQs), such as a lot of, loads of. The set of quantifiers to be discussed is first identified in relation to their description in major English grammars. Issues of variable noun complementation and verb agreement with the NNQ are identified as being of interest, along with the choice of quantifier and its collocations in different regions (Australian, New Zealand and British English) and registers. Corpus findings for a lot/lots of are compared with other NNQs where the quantifying noun can be singular or plural (ONNQs), indicating a level of delexicalization/grammaticization. Some regional variation was found, with the ONNQ loads of much more frequent in British English, and heaps of more freqent in Australian and New Zealand English.
U2 - 10.1075/veaw.g39.10smi
DO - 10.1075/veaw.g39.10smi
M3 - Chapter
SN - 9789027248992
T3 - Varieties of English around the world
SP - 159
EP - 181
BT - Comparative studies in Australian and New Zealand English
A2 - Peters, Pam
A2 - Collins, Peter
A2 - Smith, Adam
PB - John Benjamins Publishing Company
CY - Amsterdam; Philadelphia
ER -