Quantity Words Flashcards
What does some mean?
At least one.
It is a weak word.
Because there’s no very specific notion of quantity associated with the word “some,” the parts of a “some” statement can be safely switched to arrive at a new statement that’s also true. When quantity words go farther, however, the same cannot be said.
What does “most” mean?
Most = 51%-100%
It is the majority, or more than half. That’s it.
The meaning of the word gives rise to a unique type of inference:
Most aviators wear scarves.
Most aviators wear goggles.
Since a majority of them wear scarves, and a majority of them wear goggles, there would have to be at least one person in the room who wears both. Since a majority (more than half) has each of the characteristics, there has to be at least somebody who has both of them. Therefore,:
Some aviators wear both a scarf and goggles.
Some people who wear scarves also wear goggles.
We can make these two “some” statements because we are talking about the same group: aviators.
BE CAREFUL: don’t make assumptions about two different groups!
Most Martians like potato chips. Most of those who like potato chips also like chocolate.
What can be inferred from this statement? Nothing! There are two different groups here: Martians and potato chips fanciers.
What do we know about statements that refer to “few” of a quantity?
Few is the flip side of “most.”
It is a definite minority, less than half.
Example : Few Austrialians like peanut butter.
Few Australians have been to Antarctica.
Therefore: Most don’t like peanut butter and most have not been to Antarctica. So, there has to be some (at least one) who does not like peanut butter and hasn’t been to Antarctica!
What is true about statements containing the word “many?”
Many is a nonspecific quantity word = more than one.
It is a weak word.
