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Inclusion and Exclusion in Natural Language

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Abstract

We present a formal system for reasoning about inclusion and exclusion in natural language, following work by MacCartney and Manning. In particular, we show that an extension of the Monotonicity Calculus, augmented by six new type markings, is sufficient to derive novel inferences beyond monotonicity reasoning, and moreover gives rise to an interesting logic of its own. We prove soundness of the resulting calculus and discuss further logical and linguistic issues, including a new connection to the classes of weak, strong, and superstrong negative polarity items.

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  1. Department of Philosophy, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA

    Thomas F. Icard III

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  1. Thomas F. Icard III
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Correspondence to Thomas F. Icard III.

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Icard, T.F. Inclusion and Exclusion in Natural Language. Stud Logica 100, 705–725 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11225-012-9425-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11225-012-9425-8

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