Three Readings of Most

Abstract

In this paper we show that most DPs in subject position can receive three kinds of truth-condition, yielding a proportional reading, a ‘regular’ superlative reading and a ‘partition-based’ superlative reading. We propose an analysis of the three readings that views them as resulting from the interaction of several components, including (a generalized version of) the superlative operator -est, covert and overt movement, and focus. Furthermore, we explain how movement affects the distribution of readings of most.