Universal #552

Legacy number: 552

 Number  550
 Original  The order noun-numeral is favoured in indefinite and approximative constructions.
 Standardized  In indefinite and approximative constructions, the numeral tends to follow the noun.
 Keywords  numeral, order, indefinite, approximative
 Domain  syntax
 Type  unconditional
 Status  achronic
 Quality  statistical
 Basis  56 languages mentioned in Greenberg 1978a
 Source  Greenberg 1978a: 284 (#44)

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Discussion
Notes
For example in Bengali (Indic, IE), when the classifier phrase follows the noun the construction is definite, when it precedes it is indefinite.Also Russian: Num N = precise, N Num = approximative.Perhaps rather:When both orders occur, Num N and N Num, a numeral preceding the noun will be used for definiteness and preciseness and a numeral following the noun for indefiniteness and approximation.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
For example in Bengali (Indic, IE), when the classifier phrase follows the noun the construction is definite, when it precedes it is indefinite.
Also Russian: Num N = precise, N Num = approximative.

Perhaps rather:
When both orders occur, Num N and N Num, a numeral preceding the noun will be used for definiteness and preciseness and a numeral following the noun for indefiniteness and approximation.