Measure phrases within the nominal domain in Spanish

Abstract

This paper studies nominal expressions including a measure phrase (MP) in Spanish. Corver’s (2009) Predicate Inversion analysis of similar patterns in other languages is critically reviewed, and an alternative proposal is presented within Den Dikken’s (2006) theory of predication, whereby the Spanish [MP + de + N] construction (tres metros de altura “lit. three meters of height”) has a “reverse” predication structure, whereas the [D + N + de + MP] pattern (una altura de tres metros “lit. a height of three meters”) is a case of “straight” predication.