Martin (1992: 306):
One set [of collectives] functions in Pre-Numerative position, as with the measure meronymy introduced above. But here there function is to group together individuals rather than separate them out by parts (thus a member of the flock contrasts with a flock of geese). Seen from the perspective of English's number system, their function is to reconstruct count nouns as a mass. Like other items functioning in Pre-Numerative structures, they can be used cohesively between clauses: Did you see the ships? — I saw the whole squadron.
Blogger Comments:
[2] In SFL theory, the contrast here is between portion (partitive measure) and aggregate (collective measure). In partitives, Head < Thing (e.g. member < flock), whereas in collectives, Head > Thing (e.g. flock > geese).
a
|
member
|
of
|
the
|
flock
|
Numerative: portion
|
Deictic
|
Thing
|
||
a
|
flock
|
of
|
geese
|
Numerative: aggregate
|
Thing
|
||
[3] From the perspective of English's number system, these are all count nouns, not mass nouns.
[4] The cohesive function here is the ellipsis of the potential lexical repetition (ships).
did
|
you
|
see
|
the ships
|
Finite
|
Subject
|
Predicator
|
Complement
|
we
|
saw
|
the whole squadron
|
|
Subject
|
Finite
|
Predicator
|
Complement
|
