There is some evidence that in numeral classifier languages when concrete objects are counted the numerals always occur with the appropriate classifiers.
Standardized
In numeral classifier languages: When concrete objects are counted, the numeral always occurs with the appropriate classifier.
1. Greenberg makes a distinction between “abstract counting”, as in mathematical discourse, and “concrete counting”, where specific objects are involved. (Greenberg 1974b: 82-83)2. Implicationally:IF numeral classifiers (obligatorily) occur with abstract objects, THEN they will also occur (obligatorily) with concrete objects.
1. Greenberg makes a distinction between “abstract counting”, as in mathematical discourse, and “concrete counting”, where specific objects are involved. (Greenberg 1974b: 82-83)2. Implicationally:IF numeral classifiers (obligatorily) occur with abstract objects, THEN they will also occur (obligatorily) with concrete objects.