Universal 547:

Universal 547:

Original

In languages with singular/dual/plural systems in the noun, if the plural is used in any instances where a set of two objects is designated, the plural may be used with the numeral for 2.

Standardized

Provided the number marking of nouns distinguishes singular, dual, and plural,
IF the plural is used in any instances where a set of two objects is designated, THEN the plural can be used on nouns in construction with the numeral ‘two’.

Keywords

number, dual, plural, numeral

Domain

inflection, syntax

Type

no genuine implication; rather: provided that

Status

achronic

Quality

absolute

Basis

56 languages mentioned in Greenberg 1978a

Source

Greenberg 1978a: 282 (#41)

Counterexamples