Talk:bits and bobs

@Brett What makes this a positive polarity item? Equinox ◑ 19:28, 10 October 2023 (UTC)

Er there's mine needs a few bits and bobs. (BNC)

*Er there's mine doesn't need a few bits and bobs.

See p. 259, Israel, M. (2011). The grammar of polarity: Pragmatics, sensitivity, and the logic of scales. Cambridge University Press.

Brett (talk) 19:53, 10 October 2023 (UTC)

But "You don't need any bits and bobs to drive" [1] ... "any" makes a difference here, but doesn't "few" make a difference in your example too? Equinox ◑ 19:57, 10 October 2023 (UTC)

I admit, it's not going to be easy to find good clear examples without sensitive determiners, but I found these/some bits and bobs at the shop seems a lot better than ?I didn't find (any) bits and bobs at the shop. Similarly, it doesn't fare well under modal necessity, ?You should pick up some bits and bobs. Also odd in questions ?Do you have any bits and bobs? and conditionalsː ?If I go shopping, I'll get bits and bobs.--Brett (talk) 23:30, 10 October 2023 (UTC)