Abstract We examine three constructions across several languages in which a mass noun is embedded what appears to be count environment, but the construction as whole remains mass. argue that discussed phenomena—“Q-noun” like lots of water , bare measure kilos sugar and pluralised nouns Greek Persian—all involve portioning-out denotation. provide structural account portioning out propose structu...

One of the defining properties of Marshallese (Austronesian, Oceanic, Micronesian) long passives is that they allow one of two prepositions in what roughly corresponds to English by phrases. These prepositions are ippa:n and in. Although the semantics of these two prepositions appears to be identical in passives (i.e. both introduce an agent phrase), there are syntactic differences between sent...

Abstract Assigning you constructions in Mandarin Chinese are special that they often read like passives. With this mind, the goal of paper is twofold. First, I aim to compare assigning with typical passive bei Chinese. Second, attempt seek an approach may derive desirably. The research results as follows. have found and passives differ both semantically syntactically. argue, contrary Xiong (201...

This paper argues against the view that Japanese indirect passives are restricted with respect to the base verb that they take. Specifically, it argues that, despite its initial plausibility, the oft-proposed generalization that unaccusatives cannot appear in indirect passives is too strong and the alleged distribution is a tendency at most, albeit a strong one. After closely examining the rest...

This paper discusses the issues that play a part in the characterization of adjectival meaning. It describes the SIMPLE ontology for adjectives and provides insight into the morphological, syntactic and semantic aspects that are included in the SIMPLE adjectival templates.