In:Comparative Studies in Australian and New Zealand English: Grammar and beyond
Edited by Pam Peters, Peter Collins and Adam Smith
[Varieties of English Around the World G39] 2009
► pp. 159–182
Non-numerical quantifiers
Published online: 29 July 2009
https://doi.org/10.1075/veaw.g39.10smi
https://doi.org/10.1075/veaw.g39.10smi
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). An additional set of NNQs was investigated for regional variance. The findings are compared particularly with those for British English, and the status of particular NNQs as vague quantifiers and the process of delexicalization/ degrammaticization is discussed.
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