quantificados

Quantificados is a term used in linguistics and logic to describe expressions that encode quantity relative to a set of individuals. In formal logic, a quantifier is an operator that binds a variable within a predicate, enabling statements about all or some members of a domain. The two basic quantifiers are universal and existential. For example, "All humans are mortal" can be formalized as ∀x(Human(x) → Mortal(x)); "There exists a person who speaks Spanish" as ∃x(SpeaksSpanish(x)).

In natural language, quantified expressions include determiners and numerals such as every, all, some, many, few, most, as well as phrases like "the number of" and "the majority of." These quantificados interact with negation, tense, and other operators, and their scope can alter truth conditions. For instance, "Every student passed" can contrast with "Not every student passed" depending on scope and negation. Generalized quantifiers extend the classical view by capturing expressions like "most students" or "at least two books" that require higher-order semantics.

In linguistics and logic, quantification raises issues such as distributivity over plural subjects and the possibility of quantifier movement (quantifier raising) to higher syntactic positions, affecting interpretation. In computation and theoretical computer science, quantified expressions underpin frameworks like quantified boolean formulas (QBF) and automated theorem proving.

Etymology and usage notes: quantificado derives from quantifier, with cognates in Romance languages where terms such as "cuantificado" or "quantificado" denote a quantified item or expression. See also quantifier, generalized quantifier, QBF, scope, and semantics of natural language.