Non-maximality and homogeneity: Parallels between collective predicates and absolute adjectives

Abstract

Sentences with definite plurals such as The kids laughed are known to display non- maximality and homogeneity. This is manifested not only in distributive predication but also in collective predication. However, I observe that collective predicates differ with respect to these properties: predicates like gather are non-maximal and homogeneous, while predicates like fit in the trunk are maximal and non-homogeneous. I argue that this distinction is parallel to a distinction in absolute gradable adjectives with totally-closed scales: gather patterns with adjectives like open, which have both maximum and minimum standard, while fit in the trunk patterns with adjectives like full, which only have a maximum standard. I account for the observed parallelism by analyzing collective predication using proportional scales.