Universal #556

Legacy number: 556

 Number  554
 Original  The construction with the interrogative “how many?” is usually the same as that with the highest block of numerals.
 Standardized  The construction with the interrogative 'how many?' is usually the same as that with the highest block of numerals.
 Keywords  numeral
 Domain  syntax
 Type  unconditional
 Status  achronic
 Quality  absolute
 Basis  56 languages mentioned in Greenberg 1978a
 Source  Greenberg 1978a: 286 (#48)

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Discussion
Counterexamples
A minor exception is Classical Arabic (Semitic, Afro-Asiatic), where the interrogative “kam” governs the accusative singular like numerals 11-99, not the genitive singular like those larger than 99.
Notes
For example, in English “how many” governs the plural. In Russian “skol’ko” takes the genitive plural when the whole phrase is in a direct case.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
For example, in English 'how many' governs the plural. In Russian 'skol'ko' takes the genitive plural when the whole phrase is in a direct case.