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Universal 554:

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 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)
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.

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    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.

    1. May 2020

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