Genitive of Quantification in Russian: What morphology can tell us about syntax

The paper focuses on Case properties of Russian numerals assumed by previous accounts to involve Case conflicts (Franks, 1994). Resolution of Case conflicts required complex theoretical machinery introduced in the syntactic component. The new analysis achieves a greater descriptive adequacy while eliminating the need for complications in the Case theory. It bears on the relationship between abstract and morphological Case, arguing for a systematic distinction between the two lacking in the previous accounts. The proposed approach takes into consideration morphological processes characteristic of Russian declension, which allows to sort out morphological idiosyncrasy and results in a more restricted core.