indefinites

Maximalized interpretations for more than n and similar kinds of indefinites like at least n are discussed in Reinhart

Situations in Natural Language Semantics Kratzer, Angelika 2009

But the discourse referents associated with these indefinites, i.e. x and

Discourse Representation Theory Geurts, Bart 2007

Winter (1997) has offered a more general account employing choice functions (also extending the account to plural indefinites) which purport to make do without the additional resource of quantifier raising.

Descriptions Ludlow, Peter 2007

The moral was supposed to be that these “wide” readings are not the reflex of wide scope quantification (that would be to make indefinite descriptions syntactically special), but rather due to the fact that the indefinites in these examples are referring expressions.

Descriptions Ludlow, Peter 2007

We show how a hearer builds up a mental model of the ongoing discourse, dealing not only with simple sentences, but also with conditionals, quantification, and anaphora, and we discuss DRT's treatment of indefinites, and how they are set apart from quantifying expressions.

Discourse Representation Theory Geurts, Bart 2007

The upshot of the foregoing observations is that, apparently, indefinites are neither quantifiers nor referential terms, and this problem entrains another one, for as long as it unclear what indefinites mean, it will also remain obscure how they can serve as antecedents to pronouns.

Discourse Representation Theory Geurts, Bart 2007

This view on indefinites lies at the heart of DRT.

Discourse Representation Theory Geurts, Bart 2007

(So, somewhat surprisingly, it appears that the indefinites in these sentences have universal force.)

Discourse Representation Theory Geurts, Bart 2007

An indefinite like “a donkey” is treated not as a quantifier but simply as device for introducing a discourse referent and one or more conditions; on the DRT account, indefinites have no quantifying force of their own.

Discourse Representation Theory Geurts, Bart 2007

Observations like this suggest rather strongly that indefinites are quantifiers rather than referential terms.

Discourse Representation Theory Geurts, Bart 2007