Pied-piping in the composition of degrees

Abstract

The internal make-up of degree DPs like the number of books that Amy read introduces a challenge for semantic composition. One solution, given in Scontras (2017), builds on the assumption that degrees are kinds in the construal of Chierchia (1998). An alternative solution the assumption that degrees are kinds in the construal of Chierchia (1998). An alternative solutionlinks degree DPs to degree questions. Building on Heim (1987, 1992), this solution posits pied-piping in the syntax of degree DPs and hypothesizes that it tracks pied-piping in degree questions. As an argument for the pied-piping analysis, we note that it correctly predicts scope options in degree DPs that are not predicted under the degrees-as-kinds analysis.