How to agree with a QNP

Abstract

This paper focuses on the great variety of φ-agreement patterns and case alternations quantified noun phrases trigger in Serbo-Croatian. Novel data from Serbo-Croatian are contributed, showing more agreement patterns than so far attested. Crucial for the analysis is an observation that draws a parallel between the agreement patterns of quantified noun phrases and conjoined noun phrases. We will show that the data can best be described by a strictly derivational agreement system based on rule ordering (Müller 2009; Murphy & Puškar 2018) and operating in narrow syntax. Existing case-based approaches (Pesetsky 1982; Franks 1994; Boškovic 2003; 2006) and index-concord based feature systems (Wechsler & Zlatic 2000; 2003; Danon 2013) fail to account for agreement alternations in pre- and post-verbal position as well as in NP-topicalisation configurations.